Vels Trio, Shabaka

Biography

Shabaka Hutchings, born in London in 1984, spent much of his childhood in Barbados from age six and returned to England as a teenager, initially living in Birmingham before moving to London. At 19, he enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, earning a classical clarinet degree, and joined the Tomorrow's Warriors program, where he connected with key figures in London's jazz scene.[1][3][4] His early career embraced free improvisation at venues like Café Oto, collaborating with peers and veterans, before leading influential ensembles that defined the 2010s UK jazz renaissance.

Hutchings rose to prominence as a saxophonist and bandleader with Sons of Kemet (until 2022), The Comet Is Coming (as King Shabaka), and Shabaka and the Ancestors, blending nu jazz, indie jazz, jazz fusion, and experimental jazz with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, electronic elements, and global influences from South African jazz to Ethiojazz.[1][2][3][4] Key releases include Wisdom of Elders (2016), Channel the Spirits (2016, Mercury Prize nominee), Afrikan Culture EP (2022), and his solo debut Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (2024) on Impulse!. In 2023, he announced a hiatus from saxophone due to physical strain, shifting to flutes like shakuhachi and bansuri, inspired by practices such as long-tone exercises.[1][2]

His legacy includes awards like the 2013 MOBO for Sons of Kemet, 2014 Paul Hamlyn Composer Award, and Jazz FM Innovation honors, positioning him as a pioneer of London's jazz scene, influencing a new generation while curating projects like the 2018 Brownswood compilation.[1][3]

Fun Facts

• Performed final saxophone show on December 7, 2023, playing John Coltrane's A Love Supreme at London's ICA before switching to flutes.[1]
• Practices 'blowing raw'—holding single notes for 2-3 hours—to master global flutes like shakuhachi and bansuri.[2]
• Grew up in Barbados and cites playing with Louis Moholo as gateway to South African jazz, leading to Shabaka and the Ancestors.[3]
• Over six feet tall, often performs in dramatic hooded silk capes during high-energy Sons of Kemet shows.[4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gary Crosby and Janine Irons - Leaders of Tomorrow's Warriors program (Blues workshop and jam sessions) [2000s]
• Abram Wilson - Expat trumpeter in Tomorrow's Warriors (Early jazz scene collaborations) [2000s]
• Louis Moholo - South African drummer who introduced South African jazz (Blue Notes exploration) [2000s-2010s]
• Steve Lacy - Soprano saxophonist inspiring flute practice (Shakuhachi techniques) [Recent]

Key Collaborators

• Theon Cross - Tuba player and band member (Sons of Kemet) [Until 2022]
• Dan Leavers and Max Hallett - Keyboardist and drummer in electronic jazz trio (The Comet Is Coming (as King Shabaka)) [2010s-2020s]
• Shabaka and the Ancestors members - South African collaborators (Wisdom of Elders (2016)) [2016 onward]
• Mulatu Astatke - Ethiojazz legend (Live and recording sessions) [2010s]
• Floating Points - Electronic producer (Tours and recordings) [2010s]
• Sun Ra Arkestra - Avant-garde ensemble (Performances) [2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Nubya Garcia - Saxophonist in London jazz scene (Solo career amid UK renaissance) [2010s-2020s]
• Theon Cross - Tubist carrying forward scene (Solo work post-Sons of Kemet) [2010s-2020s]
• Moses Boyd, Kokoroko, Nérija, Ezra Collective - Drummers and groups in new British jazz wave (Various albums) [2010s-2020s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia