Knats
Mercury Prize Nominated 2026
Knats, a quintet led by two lifelong best mates from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stan Woodward (Bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (Drums), alongside their younger sidekick and virtuoso Trumpeter, Ferg Kilsby, making Geordie Jazz, with sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and danceable grooves.
After moving to London at the end of 2022, Knats took London by storm playing sold out Jazz Refreshed and Rough Trade East headliners, supporting Str4ta at a sold Jazz Cafe and performing for the BBC proms; as well as working with and backing the likes of Geordie Greep and Eddie Chacon and collaborating with major fashion brands Palace, Beams and Arc’teryx.
After signing to Gearbox Records at the beginning of 2024, 2025 saw Knats release their debut self-titled album at Damon Albarn’s Studio 13 mixed by the legendary Hugh Padgham. The album has gained critical acclaim from the likes of Jazzwise, Rolling Stone Japan, The Guardian and many more.
Mishra
Mishra are a global folk band from the UK gathering international recognition, who draw together roots in UK traditional music with continent-spanning musical textures into a breathtaking 5 piece performance. Performing finely crafted songs with stunning vocals and exhilarating instrumentals, Mishra span eclectic moods; from meditative raag inspired improvisations to high-energy celtic dance tunes underpinned by unstoppable percussive grooves. They draw on training in Indian classical, UK folk, contemporary classical, and a distinctive instrumental palette including santoor, banjo, clarinet, low whistle, double bass, and a vast array of percussion.
Formed by acclaimed folk musicians Kate Griffin and Ford Collier, all members of Mishra met in Sheffield over a shared passion for the creative possibilities of Indian classical music. Their genre defying approach to composition has taken them to festivals around the UK including Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival, won them a prestigious Danny Kyle award, and brought critical acclaim for their two albums ‘Reclaim’ and ‘The Loft Tapes’ including national radio play. 2023 saw them tour the UK in collaboration with Indian classical/sufi singer Deepa Shakthi with support from Arts Council England.
Zeñel w/ support from Pulsar
Laurence Wilkins: Trumpet and Electronics
Zoe Pascal: Drums
Jay Verma: Keyboards
Alex Wilson: Keyboards
Zeñel is made up of London based trumpeter and producer Laurence Wilkins, Portuguese native Zoe Pascal on drums, and keyboard virtuosos Jay Verma and Alex Wilson. They fuse jazz with a wide variety of UK genres, including grime, UK garage and drum n bass.
Their UK drill influenced track ‘Vocophoria’ recently gained them 200,000 streams on Spotify and over 2 million views on social media. Since then they’ve launched into collaborations with big UK names including Blanco in an unpredented use of live jazz musicians by a drill artist, and Saiming in their collaborative single ‘know us.’.
With consistent support on BBC Radio 1xtra and a 10-fold increase in social media following, their upcoming singles in late 2025 are sure to open yet more exciting doors.
Pulsar
Pulsar are an accomplished modern instrumental hip hop/jazz/electronic fusion act in the spirit of the likes of BADBADNOTGOOD, the Robert Glasper Experiment, Bill Laurance and Butcher Brown. With varied material inspired by a range of artists including MF DOOM, Radiohead, Fourtet, Madlib, Yussef Dayes and Kaytranada, Pulsar can just as easily cruise through genre-bending modern jazz as they can break out into some breakbeats or DnB.
Pulsar started as a product of the vibrant Cambridge music scene. They have opened for the Mercury-nominated Knats twice, appeared at the Cambridge Jazz Festival opening for Oreglo and Jack Banjo’s (Olivia Dean, Opus Kink) solo project Snackwall, and also at the Cambridge Guildhall as part of Cambridge’s iconic Court Sessions. This year Pulsar were crowned ‘Take It To The Bridge’ winners at Cambridge Junction in Cambridge University’s flagship popular music competition judged by representatives from Sony Music, BBC Radio 1 and the university. Their anticipated first EP is slated for release in early 2027.
Tickets £15/12 in advance or £20 on the door if available
Limited seating available
Caraway with support from Pete Thornton Group - in collaboration with the Cambridge Folk Festival
Jazz/folk/electronica. Cinematic soundscapes, poetic lyrics, intricate rhythms, double bass grooves and sultry horn lines.
Sunshine the Afrooist X NYJO support from Hard Deadline
A beloved figure within London’s Jazz scene, Sunshine is a core as member of the Orii Community Jam that started in Hackney and has taken the whole city by a storm. She is making waves in London and has recently appeared at the Southbank Centre.
Sunshine will be bringing her signature vocals and unique stage presence to Arts Club Cambridge on 30th May along with an 8-piece banbd featuring some of the most exciting and in-demand emerging voices from the UK. Together they have crafted a set of original, bold music to inspire and soothe.
Sunshine the Afooist - Featured Artist
Dani Roade- Keys & Percussion
Jared Meade- Bari Sax
Senan McCullough- Drums
Hana Amaya- Backing vocals/ Trumpet
Carolina Lopez Del-Nero - Cello
Tahirah Myrie- Bass
Benjy Sandler- Tenor Sax
Jackson Mathod support from T.A Trio
Jackson Mathod at Arts Club Cambridge
Jazz meets Hip Hip
Maria Chiara Argirò support from Black Dahlia
Maria Chiara Argirò at Arts Club Cambridge
Jazz meets Electronica
Jasmine Myra x NYJO support from Hard Deadline
Jasmine Myra x NYJO at Arts Club Cambridge
Jazz meets Folk
Support from Hard Deadline
Zero Gravity Trio Album Launch feat Dennis Rollins MBE
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