Credit: Digital Dave
Blending the lyricism of folk traditions with the rhythmic drive of contemporary jazz, Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artist Mali Sheard is a saxophonist and composer whose music is both evocative and adventurous.
Already building a reputation as rising force on the UK jazz scene both as a solo artist and as a member of Ankora (who play The Bear Club on 3 October) , fans are eagerly anticipating the release of her debut album, Hay Fever, in the second half of 2026.
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.
Bringing together the energy of contemporary jazz and the lyricism of folk, Mali Sheard’s Homestead is a vibrant quintet performing melodic, groove-driven originals inspired by Brian Blade, Phil Woods, and Laura Mvula.
This performance is part of our Generation Jazz 2.0 series of gigs, showcasing brilliant young jazz musicians across the summer and autumn of 2026. Discounted ticket pricing applies for those under 25, students, and universal credit beneficiaries.
This performance is part of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Warriors Rise initiative, which sees the acclaimed jazz talent development organisation support three emerging Warriors’ artists, including Mali, across a seven-date run of UK gigs, providing tour planning and marketing mentoring.
Warriors Rise is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner initiative supported by PPL and Music Venues Trust.
About Tomorrow’s Warriors
Over the last 35 years, Tomorrow’s Warriors has played a vital role within its community and the wider music industry and has been credited with literally changing the face of UK jazz.
Free access to Tomorrow’s Warriors artistic programme has proved crucial in nurturing the nascent talent and early careers of so many of the most exciting UK artists currently tearing up the international jazz scene including Mercury Prize 2023 recipients and BRIT Awards Best Group 2025 winners EZRA Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet, ESKA, Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Robert Mitchell, Soweto Kinch, Shirley Tetteh, Byron Wallen...the list goes on.
“Other stand-out performances on the stage come from Mali Sheard’s Homestead, whose sound traverses many different terrains and eras of jazz, from bebop to the psychedelic-tinged sound of artists like Lonnie Liston Smith and the funky fusion of Weather Report”
“Ankora round things off in style. The all-female octet has richly layered orchestration – two trumpets, saxophone, flute, guitar, keyboard – and makes an impact due to the clever scoring of the brass and woodwinds...While flautist Keira Chakraborty and guitarist Tami Adebanjo impress as soloists, the ensemble voice is the draw here.”
“This really was an impressive performance from Ankora. The standard of the musicianship was exceptional for such young players, and the quality of the original writing was also consistently impressive.”
Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm / Tickets £16.50 / £10.50 for members/ £5 concessions
All tables are first come first served.