UK Jazz Artists To Watch in 2023
The UK Jazz scene has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. More and more artists seem to be emerging from the grassroots level, and we are constantly seeing artists of the highest order come up through the ranks. The real beauty of Jazz is the wide range of instruments that the genre has to offer from marvellous pianists to smooth brass players to melodic guitarists all the way to rhythmic drummers, Jazz has it all.
There were some amazing UK Jazz releases in 2022 from the likes of Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist, KOKOROKO, Ezra Collective, and Nubya Garcia so we’re super excited about what’s to come in 2023 and beyond. We couldn’t include every great UK Jazz artist in this article as it would go on forever, so we have put together a carefully curated list of artists of all different calibres and styles in order to help you discover some new music! Let’s get into this:
1. B-ahwe
The incredibly talented Jazz and alt-soul singer/songwriter B-ahwe is the only vocalist included in the list, however, in my eyes, her unique and powerful vocals can also be seen as an instrument itself! Inspired by the likes of Minnie Riperton, Madlib and Chet Baker, B-ahwe is bringing a fresh take on the soul and Jazz with a focus on complex vocal arrangements and heartfelt lyricism. 2023 is bound to be a big year for the rising vocalist so give her a follow on socials and follow her journey!
2. Blue Lab Beats
Let’s not beat around the bush, it wouldn’t be a completed list without including London-based grammy and mobo-nominated Jazz duo Blue Lab Beats.. The trailblazing duo consisting of producer NK-OK and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM.of create unique and diverse soundscapes by blending traditional Jazz melodies and RnB/Soul keys, with Afrobeat-inspired samples and boom-bap Hip-Hop drums. In my opinion, their most recent album Motherland Journey was one of the best UK releases of 2022, and If there is one thing for certain, Blue Lab Beats are guaranteed to release good music in 2023 as they never miss…
3. Caytra
Caytra are a Jazz trio that we discovered through Bridge The Gap Management in early 2022, and we’ve been loving their music ever since! The trio comprising of Sam Ithell, James Gullis and Conor Cotteril create sounds and arrangements that represent each of the member’s unique personalities and their debut self-titled project ‘Caytra EP’ was both melodic and eccentric, drawing influences from Funk, Jazz, Rock and Hip Hop. We hope that Caytra continues turning heads in 2023, as their releases have been great so far!
4. cktrl
Multi-talented British musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ cktrl creates music from the soul, and that is evident in his rich catalogue of work! Moulded by a fusion of his west Indian heritage and years of playing the clarinet and saxophone at a high level, cktrl’s unique sound and style is unlike any other in the UK Jazz scene! If cktrl continues to release music as good as ‘yield EP’ and ‘Robyn EP’ I have no doubt in my mind that the rising musician is going to start entering the mainstream over the next few years.
5. David Kofi
London-based pianist and musician David Kofi is most certainly one to watch heading into 2023. David Kofi draws influence from a mix of genres such as Soul, Gospel, Hip Hop, RnB and Jazz, and he cites musicians like Snark Puppy, Alfa Mist and Robert Glasper as his idols! over the past two years he has released two short but amazing EPs in ‘Kokoro’ & ‘Kokoro II’ so we’re looking forward to what he has to offer in 2023 and beyond!
6. Emma Rawicz
The multi-award-winning young saxophonist and composer, Emma Rawicz is already making huge waves in the UK Jazz scene. She has already been tipped as one of the most promising Jazz musicians in the scene by platforms such as BBC Radio 2, Jazzwise and London Jazz News, and her debut album ‘Incantation’ turned many heads in 2022. Emma Rawicz has a unique sound, fusing sounds and compositions from around the world, ranging from Modern Jazz compositions to Afro-Cuban-inspired grooves and traditional funk melodies. If you’re a Jazz lover, look no further than rising Jazz player Emma Rawicz in 2023.
7. Jackson Mathod
The ever-talented trumpeter and multi-talented musician Jackson Mathod has been growing as an artist and going from strength to strength ever since he broke onto the scene with “The Park” back in 2020! His undeniable skills on the trumpet, fun and quirky live shows, and unique songwriting ability make him one of the most exciting talents in the UK Jazz scene. If there is one thing guaranteed in this world it is that - Jackson Mathod will release great music, and when life feels like a struggle, Jackson's music is always on hand to brighten your day. Simple. As. That.
8. Jamie Leeming
We were first introduced to Jamie Leeming earlier this year when we stumbled across ‘Resynthesis’ on Spotify, and we’ve been hooked on his music ever since. Jamie Leeming is one of the most talented and revered guitarists in the UK, and this statement is no shock when you see the attention to detail he puts into his compositions and guitar melodies. If we’re using ‘Resynthesis’ as a pointer then the future is going to be bright for Jamie Leeming and his band.
9. Jasmine Myra
The multi-talented saxophonist, composer and band leader Jasmine Myra was one of the first names that came to mind when curating a list for this article! The Leeds-based musician released one of our favourite Jazz-fusion projects of the year last year in ‘Horizons’, which embodies sounds of traditional Jazz, Electronica, Alternative, and Folk resulting in a timeless piece of art. Her original instrumental music has a euphoric and uplifting sound, influenced by artists such as Olafur Arnalds, Kenny Wheeler, and most importantly, Bonobo, whose influence you can really hear in some of Jasmine’s work! We’re really excited to hear what Myra has to offer to the world in 2023!
10. Matt Wilde
Manchester-based artist Matt Wilde has been one of our favourite Jazz artists in the UK for a while now! The talented musician blends jazz-inspired keys, rich harmonies and pocketed drums to create a progressive sound like no other. Matt Wilde just has that magic touch, you know! All of his releases in 2022 turned the heads of many Jazz enthusiasts around the world, and his TikTok/Reel-styled videos on socials are really something else, so check them out and give him a follow!
11. Natty Reeves
Natty Reeves is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter currently residing in Brighton who we have featured multiple times on the platform/blog for good reason. The talented musician draws influence from the likes of Chet Baker, Blake Mills and Antonio Carlos Jobim, producing music riddled with soul and rhythm blurring the lines between Alternative/Indie, Jazz, Electronica, Soul and Hip Hop. Over the past year, the multi-talented artist has been releasing music under the alias Astaire, so be sure to check his new stuff out!
12. Oscar Jerome
Oscar Jerome is the definition of talent personified. The rising young artist has been honing his craft as a writer and musician from a very young age collaborating as a guitarist, vocalist, percussionist and composer with countless acts across the UK for many years now. His most recent album ‘The Spoon’ is a masterpiece for those who appreciate the experimental, alternative side of the musical spectrum, and Jerome’s unique songwriting ability is motivated by politics, spirituality within music and life experiences. His creative vision is to always make music with sincerity and pay homage to his countless inspirations which include J. Dilla, Gil Scott-Heron & The Clash.
13. Otis Ubaka
The Rising Saxophonist, multifaceted Jazz player & Lo-fi Hip Hop Producer Otis Ubaka has been putting in the work over the past few years and it’s starting to really pay off! Otis creates chilled Jazz-Hop compositions and beats with a distinctive touch of Contemporary/ Classical Jazz. His distinctive sound and style make him stand out amongst the vast pool of upcoming Jazz-Hop producers and his consistently high streaming numbers mean that he’s one most promising producers around. Otis Ubaka - remember the name!
14. PYJÆN
5-piece Contemporary Jazz band PYJÆN have been growing in strength and paving a new lane ever since their debut self-titled album ‘PYJÆN’ dropped back in 2019. The rising multi-faceted group combine sounds of traditional Jazz, afro-fusion, funk and electronica to create vibrant textures and unique arrangments like no other. Their 3 releases towards the end of 2022, proved that supergroup PYJÆN are going to be a force to be reckoned with moving forward, so we’re excited to see what’s next for the talented 5-piece collective.
15. TC & The Groove Family
TC & The Groove Family are a 10-piece collective that creates music signifying ‘unity, fun and rhythm’. The high-energy Jazz ensemble explores grooves and melodies from all around the world drawing influence from pretty much every walk of life ranging from Afro-Fusion, Samba, Breakbeat, Traditional Jazz, Dub/Reggae, Funk and even Jungle DnB. If you're looking for Jazz music to get down on the dancefloor and move your body, TC & The Groove Family are perfect for you so check there new album ‘First Home’ out now!
16. XVNGO
Pioneering South London-based saxophonist and producer XVNGO, has been turning heads and impressing Jazz fans all over the UK ever since he burst on the scene. The multi-talented artist is at the forefront of the Jazz Drill & Post-Trap genres, comprising of an eclectic blend of Hip Hop, Drill, Trap, Jazz, Classical and Electronica. XVNGO’s music is a reflection of his experiences, education/knowledge, and philosophies from his time and experiences growing up in South London, and he also plays in one of the biggest jazz collectives KOKOROKO. Although 2022 was a quiet year for XVNGO, we’re hoping he comes through with a couple more of those intricate Jazz-Drill compositions that he somehow formulates in 2023!
Bonus Pick: Raffy Bushman
Our bonus pick Raffy Bushman is a pianist, cellist and composer based in London who portrays honest and soul-grabbing stories and sounds through his music. Raffy draws influence from soundscapes from all around the world by blending contemporary improvisation of Jazz with hard-hitting Hip Hop sounds and classical arrangements. The talented pianist’s debut EP ‘Beginner’s Mind’ turned the heads of many Jazz listeners around the globe, catching the attention of the likes of Jazz FM, WWFM, Stepping Tiger, Music Is My Sanctuary, Bandcamp Weekly and Soho Radio to name a few… If one thing is certain, it’s that 2023 is bound to be a big year for multi-talented Raffy Bushman.
Be sure to check out and follow our ‘UK Jazz Artists To Watch In 2023’ playlist that’s embedded into this article below:
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