MALI SHEARD’S HOMESTEAD
SoundCellar and Tomorrow’s Warriors present MALI SHEARD’S HOMESTEAD. Undoubtedly destined to become stars of the future, we welcome alto/soprano saxophonist Mali Sheard and her Homestead quintet to Poole, marking our second collaboration with the award-winning artist development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Please note: If parking in either of the car parks at The Grasshopper, you must register your vehicle on one of the dedicated terminals at the bar or in the function room.
Ticket link below
Again featuring outstanding young musicians, this quintet made an extremely strong impression on members of the SoundCellar team at both the We Out Here and London Jazz Festivals in 2025.
Blending the lyricism of folk traditions with the rhythmic drive of contemporary jazz, Mali Sheard is a young saxophonist and composer whose music is both evocative and adventurous. Leading this dynamic quintet, she crafts original compositions that explore melody, groove, and improvisation, drawing influence from Brian Blade and the Fellowship, Phil Woods, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Laura Mvula.
Her songs often reflect on personal journeys – discovering new people and places, facing challenges, and returning to the “comfort of the homestead” to reflect and dream of future adventures. This storytelling approach gives her music a sense of warmth, intimacy, and cinematic scope.
Mali met her bandmates – Keira Chakraborty, Ky Osborne, George Balmont and Luke McCarthy (seen at SoundCellar with Donovan Haffner last November), through Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Royal Academy of Music, forming a compelling ensemble.
With their debut recording forthcoming, Mali Sheard and her quintet continue to push boundaries, creating music that is heartfelt, imaginative, and distinctly their own – a sound poised to leave a lasting mark on the UK jazz scene.
ABOUT TOMORROW’S WARRIORS
If you know your UK jazz, then you probably already know Tomorrow’s Warriors. Over the 35 years the talent development charity has played a vital role within its community and the wider music industry and has been credited with literally changing the face of UK jazz.
They have supported 1000s of young musicians and helped nurture the careers of so many of the most exciting UK artists currently tearing up the international jazz scene including Mercury Prize 2023 winners and BRIT Awards Best Group of 2025 EZRA Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet, ESKA, Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Robert Mitchell, Soweto Kinch, Shirley Tetteh, Byron Wallen…the list goes on.
“Tomorrow’s Warriors occupies a unique and vital space in our cultural landscape. Their work in helping positively shape future generations is of critical importance especially with the tribulations we currently face. Please keep supporting – each one, teach one!” Gilles Peterson
Mali Sheard: Alto & soprano saxophones
Keira Chakraborty: Flute
Ky Osborne: Keys
George Balmont: Bass
Luke McCarthy: Drums
Entry is £17.50 (no booking fee) in advance through the below link, or £20 on the door (cash or card).
AMAZING OFFERS
15% pre-show food discount at The Grasshopper. Our regular host The Grasshopper, is kindly offering a 15% discount on food from their restaurant prior to every SoundCellar gig! Just show your ticket for that evening’s performance (the ticket QR code on your phone, or a printout). A table must be booked here or tel: 01202 741463 and food orders placed at least 60 minutes prior to the start time of the gig (eg by 6:30pm for a 7:30pm start).
(2) For young people: (i) U18s – FREE entry when accompanied by an adult; (ii) Age 18 to 25 – entry £10 (with NUS / TOTUM card). Simply select the relevant ticket option when booking. The offers are available for most of our gigs – please check individual listings for details. They are subject to seat availability, so for some gigs, it’s best to book early to avoid disappointment.
Parking is free at The Grasshopper but you must register your vehicle at the bar.
