WORLD JAZZ JIVE feat Yamikani, Levniz, Kanavu / The Attic Leeds / 04.12.26

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 (backed by the Gustavo Andrade Trio)
UK based Turkish classical guitarist Levniz is an incredible young talent playing classical, jazz, Turkish and flamenco music, alongside her love of Brazilian bossa nova, particularly music by the guitar masters Baden Powell, Luis Bonfa, Roberto Menescal, and Rosinha de Valença. Just 21 years old, she is based in Bristol now, and has built up a strong following on Instagram the last couple of years performing solo acoustic guitar interpretations of classic Brazilian bossa nova compositions like “Canto De Ossanha”, “Mas Que Nada”, “Berimbau” and “One Note Samba”, which can have between 20K and 50K viewers. In June 2026, she linked up with Leeds based Brazilian musician Gustavo Andrade of The Brasukas (plus Brazilian bass player Nick Gontarski and Leeds percussionist Joe Redgrave), to record the Baden Powell bossa anthem “Canto De Ossanha”, which she then released on her YouTube channel. For this show, she reunites with Gustavo and Nick, plus Leeds drummer Brendan Bache joins the quartet on drum kit. This will be Levniz’s debut in Leeds. Come and see this phenomenal young talent now in a small venue before she breaks out worldwide.

Kanavu
Led by alto saxophonist/flautist Arthana Tharmasekaran, Kanavu explores ways to combine jazz and traditional Carnatic music, taking inspiration from Steve Coleman and Rudresh Mathanappa. This trio aims to show audiences how a multitude of sounds can connote different feelings and emotions through the use of ambience and complex rhythms. Arthana is well known in the Leeds jazz scene as the booker of regular jazz live sessions at Sela Bar and Hyde Park Book Club (Hyde Park Jazz Club), and now, as an independent jazz promoter under the Arthana Presents banner. Kanavu consists of Arthana Tharmasekaran – alto sax, Teruki Chan (Christie/Chan Duo) – drums, Ozzy Moysey (Ancient Infinity Orchestra) – double bass. Get down early to catch this great set of Indo-Jazz fusion.

Doors 7.30pm. Kanavu 8.00pm. Levniz 8.45pm. Yamikani 9.30pm. Curfew 11.00pm.
This show is supported by the Jazz North “New Northern” promoter bursary.