Mali Sheard’s Homestead
Mali Sheard’s Homestead
Wed 19 November 2025
Stage time / 1:00pm
Doors / 12:00pm
Celebrating the Jazz Clubs
Bringing together the energy of contemporary jazz and the lyricism of folk, Mali Sheard leads a vibrant quintet performing melodic, groove-driven originals inspired by Brian Blade, Phil Woods, and Laura Mvula.
Formed through Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Royal Academy of Music, the band has already dazzled audiences at We Out Here and Cheltenham Jazz Festival, with their debut EP on the way.
Blending the lyricism of folk traditions with the rhythmic drive of contemporary jazz, Mali Sheard is a 20-year-old saxophonist and composer whose music is both evocative and adventurous. Leading a dynamic quintet, she crafts original compositions that explore melody, groove, and improvisation, drawing influence from Brian Blade and the Fellowship, Phil Woods, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Laura Mvula.
Her songs often reflect on personal journeys - discovering new people and places, facing challenges, and returning to the “comfort of the homestead” to reflect and dream of future adventures. This storytelling approach gives her music a sense of warmth, intimacy, and cinematic scope.
Mali met her bandmates - Keira Chakraborty, Ky Osborne, George Balmont, and Luke McCarthy - through Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Royal Academy of Music, forming a compelling ensemble of alto/soprano saxophone and flute, piano, electric bass, and drums. Together for over two years, the quintet has already made a strong impression on audiences at We Out Here Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, 91 Living Room, and Jazz in the Round.
With their debut EP forthcoming, Mali Sheard and her quintet continue to push boundaries, creating music that is heartfelt, imaginative, and distinctly their own -a sound poised to leave a lasting mark on the UK jazz scene.
Formed through Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Royal Academy of Music, the band has already dazzled audiences at We Out Here and Cheltenham Jazz Festival, with their debut EP on the way.
Blending the lyricism of folk traditions with the rhythmic drive of contemporary jazz, Mali Sheard is a 20-year-old saxophonist and composer whose music is both evocative and adventurous. Leading a dynamic quintet, she crafts original compositions that explore melody, groove, and improvisation, drawing influence from Brian Blade and the Fellowship, Phil Woods, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Laura Mvula.
Her songs often reflect on personal journeys - discovering new people and places, facing challenges, and returning to the “comfort of the homestead” to reflect and dream of future adventures. This storytelling approach gives her music a sense of warmth, intimacy, and cinematic scope.
Mali met her bandmates - Keira Chakraborty, Ky Osborne, George Balmont, and Luke McCarthy - through Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Royal Academy of Music, forming a compelling ensemble of alto/soprano saxophone and flute, piano, electric bass, and drums. Together for over two years, the quintet has already made a strong impression on audiences at We Out Here Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, 91 Living Room, and Jazz in the Round.
With their debut EP forthcoming, Mali Sheard and her quintet continue to push boundaries, creating music that is heartfelt, imaginative, and distinctly their own -a sound poised to leave a lasting mark on the UK jazz scene.
