SEED Ensemble: A brief introduction to the Mercury Award-nominated band

Led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi

Author: Alastair SteelPublished 25th Oct 2020

Formed in early 2016, SEED Ensemble is a Mercury Award-nominated ten-piece band led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi.

Combining jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced groove, SEED Ensemble explores a blend of genres through original compositions and improvisation.

SEED Ensemble's debut album 'Driftglass'

SEED Ensemble were nominated for both The PRS For Music UK Jazz Act of the Year as well as Album of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards 2020 with OANDA.

Their debut release Driftglass (Jazz Re:freshed, 2019) features the track Afronaut (feat. XANA) which won the Ivors Academy Award 2018 (formerly known as BASCA, British Composer Award) for Jazz Composition for Large Ensemble.

Scroll through to see our highlights of the Jazz FM Awards 2020 with OANDA:

Our host and compère, comedian Marcus Brigstocke on stage at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Breakthrough Act of the Year sponsored by Cambridge Audio award winner Xhosa Cole, stood outside Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Judi Jackson receiving the award for Vocalist of the Year


Double-award winner Yazz Ahmed standing outside Ronnie Scott's with her awards: PRS for Music UK Jazz Act of the Year and Album of the Year sponsored by Arqiva


Double-award winner Yazz Ahmed performing on-stage at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Xhosa Cole receiving the award for Breakthrough Act of the Year sponsored by Cambridge Audio


Our host and compère, comedian Marcus Brigstocke outside Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.


Our host Marcus Brigstocke reacting to Xhosa Cole's opening performance


Vocalist of the Year award winner Judi Jackson performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Yazz Ahmed receiving the PRS for Music UK Jazz Act of the Year award


Vocalist of the Year award winner Judi Jackson performing with pianist Jamie Safir at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Vocalist of the Year 2020 Judi Jackson posing alongside pianist Jamie Safir outside Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


Breakthrough Act of the Year sponsored by Cambridge Audio winner Xhosa Cole performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club


You can hear SEED Ensemble on the Jazz FM playlist.

Listen to Jazz FM across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, via the play button below and by asking your smart speaker to "play Jazz FM".