World Jazz Jive feat. Yamikani, Levniz & Kanavu

Longtime Leeds world music/jazz promoter DJ Lubi returns to The Attic Leeds on Friday 4th December for a show called WORLD JAZZ JIVE.

A night where contemporary jazz meets Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian beats and Indian carnatic music, and features a new generation of emerging artists from Leeds, Brazil, Turkey and Bristol making exciting world jazz fusion today.

Yamikani Conguero Yamikani Soko and his orchestra are a new and exciting Afro-Diasporic jazz fusion ensemble in Leeds.

This is the latest project led by Reece Soko, bandleader/saxophonist of the popular afrojazz band Afrodesia, and regular band member of Ferg's Imaginary Big Band and the Amon Ra Collective.

They play a repertoire of original music in the tradition of CuBop (Afro-Cuban jazz), Rumba, Calypso and Spiritual Jazz, and inspired by music legends Chano Pozo, Max Roach and Mongo Santamaria.

Yamikani not only respects the traditions to come out of the Afro-Diaspora, but also infuses the music with Yamikani Soko's own Malawian heritage and Be-Bop background, creating an energetic blend of rhythmic and vibrant music.

Last heard live in Leeds in May 2026 at the Tomorrow's Warriors showcase for the Leeds Jazz Festival at Brudenell Social Club.

The band is an all-star line-up of Leeds'finest young musicians who play with Afrodesia, Plantfood, The NPCs, Amon Ra Collective, Ferg's Imaginary Big Band, Kanavu and Mikoudi.

Full line-up : Yamikani Soko - congas/bandleader Arthana Tharmasekaran - flute Conrad Clenton - baritone sax/alto sax Murray Robinson - tenor sax Sam Ehret Pickard - trumpet Fred Good - trombone Joe Frost-Tesfaye - piano Woody Hayden - double bass Billy Goulding - drums Levniz Bristol based guitarist and composer of Turkish heritage, Levniz is an incredible young talent.

She plays classical music and jazz, plus Turkish and flamenco music, all alongside her love of Brazilian bossa nova, particularly music by the guitar masters Baden Powell, Luis Bonfa, Roberto Menescal etc.