Cassie Kinoshi’s seed. (Manchester Jazz Festival 2026)

Formed in early 2016, seed. (formerly known as SEED Ensemble) is an award-winning eleven-piece led by composer and alto-saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi. A dynamic group of musicians pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, seed. merges influences from various musical traditions to create a powerful and rhythmic sonic experience.

Featuring their latest line-up and performing a selection of new and recent material, their mjf show is one of a special limited-date tour marking the band’s tenth anniversary.

Now based between Berlin and London, Kinoshi focuses on creating multi-disciplinarily and genre-blending performance work in various audio-visual contexts. Her many accolades include an Ivors Academy Award and a Hyundai Mercury Award nomination.

Followers of UK jazz will know Kinoshi from her previous work with seed. or as a former member of Kokoroko and Nerija. However, her compositional résumé also extends deeply into orchestral work for concert halls, contemporary dance, film, visual art, and theatre, with high profile collaborators including London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 2023 Cassie Kinoshi premiered a commissioned suite gratitude to a full-capacity Southbank Centre, composed for seed. in a special augmented formation that also featured turntablist NikNak and the London Contemporary Orchestra (LCO).

“A heartfelt and accomplished brew of African, Caribbean and urban dance grooves, R&B and 60s Blue Note-ish ensemble harmonies.” – The Guardian

Information on the players in the line-up correct at time of publication

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