Maisha

Maisha are a London-based Ensemble led by drummer/composer/arranger Jake Long. Their music brings a fresh slant to the lineage of modal jazz from the 60’s and 70’s taking influence from artists such as Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders. Fusing these influences with other music and cultures that inspires them, they cross between genres with a focus on genuine improvisation and expressive experimentation. Maisha have carved their place as a pioneering force in the London Jazz scene. Their 2016 debut EP, ‘Welcome to a New Welcome’, released with Jazz Refreshed quickly launched Maisha into the British Jazz scene. In 2018 Maisha were selected to be a part of Brownswood Recordings' seminal 'We Out Here' Compilation album, that gives an overview of London's new thriving jazz scene; they became one of its influential breakout acts. Signed to Brownswood label, they issued 'There Is a Place', their debut long-player in 2018. The album made it onto streaming charts across the globe and grabbed the attention of jazz critics, also making many journals' ‘best albums of the year’ list. The record drew great success and propelled the group into touring internationally. During this time they struck a live partnership with renowned alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, which later lead to an album collaboration released on Night Dreamer Records in 2020.