Biography
Tom Misch, born Thomas Abraham Misch on June 25, 1995, in London, England, grew up in a creative family environment with a psychiatrist father who was a passionate violinist. He began playing violin at age four using the Suzuki method, later transitioning to guitar as his primary instrument, and studied music at Langley Park Boys' School in Bromley before attending Trinity Laban conservatory in Greenwich to learn jazz guitar, which he eventually left to pursue his own music. Kaidi Akinnibi is a young UK saxophonist known for shaping contemporary British sounds through versatile performances on tenor saxophone, alto clarinet, vocals, and guitar. Together, they represent a collaborative duo in the jazz-funk and electronic scenes, highlighted by their joint track 'Days of Us' on Tom Misch's 2025 album Full Circle.
Misch launched his career in 2012 by uploading beats to SoundCloud, gaining recognition through projects like Beat Tape 2 (2015) and EPs such as Reverie, leading to his debut album Geography (2018), which connected him with the UK music scene. Akinnibi emerged prominently via guest spots, including on Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes' 2020 album What Kinda Music, and performances with bands like Black Midi. Their partnership blends Misch's multi-instrumental production—spanning guitar, violin, synths, and vocals—with Akinnibi's saxophone flair, creating organic, improvisational jazz-infused electronic music.
This duo's style draws from jazz, funk, soul, and beat-making traditions, emphasizing live collaboration and in-house production over solo work, as seen in Misch's shift from bedroom beats to ensemble recordings. Their legacy contributes to the UK's cutting-edge jazz movement, with Misch's Blue Note releases and Akinnibi's club performances at venues like the 606 Club solidifying their influence on modern UK sounds.
Fun Facts
- Tom Misch quit Trinity Laban conservatory after studying jazz guitar to focus on his SoundCloud beats, marking a pivotal shift from formal training.
- Kaidi Akinnibi is a multi-instrumentalist who surprised audiences by performing vocals and guitar alongside saxophone at London's 606 Club in 2023.
- Misch and Yussef Dayes met at the launch party for Geography and immediately connected musically, leading to their organic album collaboration.
- Misch directed violinist Tobie on string arrangements for What Kinda Music because Tobie was a superior player, despite Misch's own violin background.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Father (unnamed violinist) - Early musical inspiration and violin teacher via Suzuki method (Introduced to music and concerts) [Childhood (from age 4)]
Key Collaborators
- Yussef Dayes - Co-producer and drummer on album (What Kinda Music (2020))
- Rocco Palladino - Bassist on multiple tracks (What Kinda Music (2020))
- Kaidi Akinnibi (for Tom Misch) - Saxophonist on prior tracks and Full Circle (Unnamed track on What Kinda Music, 'Days of Us' on Full Circle) [Pre-2020 and 2025-2026]
- Jordan Tait - Guitarist in Akinnibi's quintet (Live performance at 606 Club)
- Jamal Wilson - Keyboard/synth player in Akinnibi's quintet (Live performance at 606 Club)
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Tom Misch & Kaidi Akinnibi has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.