A pioneering voice in the renaissance of British jazz, Shabaka’s work transcends conventional notions of genre and draws from a vast palette of cultural influences. He has performed classical concertos with orchestras; led several influential bands (Sons of Kemet, The Comet is Coming, Shabaka and the Ancestors); and during the Covid lockdown defied his reputation as a saxophone phenomenon to switch to flute. Following his artistic intuition, he learned to play the east Asian Shakuhachi. Hence his debut solo album Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (2024) is flute focused and a work of exceptional beauty. It marks a departure from the standard ‘band’ format and brings to the forefront his work on various flutes in combination with creative improvisers, to create a textural world that is serene and poetic. His live performances now always include a solo flute aspect, in concert with collaborations from other instruments.