Three distinctive compositional voices, all hugely influential in British jazz, combine to form a unique sounding group, Malija.

Saxophonist Mark Lockheart, bassist Jasper Hoiby and pianist Liam Noble have taken to the road to promote their critically acclaimed new album and they’re appearing at Calstock Arts tonight (October 19). This all-star trio brings together three of the most exciting and original jazz musicians/composers in the UK.

Driven by a commitment to improvisation and musical banter, the band’s idiomatic sweep through bluegrass, tango, abstract grooves and shimmering landscapes is delivered with flair and playful abandon. Sounds like they have fun! They’ve been playing together since 2009.

Mark has also made his name elsewhere with bands such as Loose Tubes, Polar Bear and Printmakers (previously appearing at Calstock Arts with the latter two of those bands in a couple of superb gigs). He has an impressive background in an eclectic range of styles and is a top-rated composer and arranger – one of the stars of the jazz scene who won Jazz Musician of the Year in 2010 in the prestigious annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Jasper played bass for the highly influential Phronesis who were described as ‘a killer live band’ by John Fordham. His virtuoso style is exciting and innovative and he’s a fine composer. He has described Malija as ‘weird, simple, complicated, free, tight, floaty, ugly, beautiful and heartfelt depending on your mood’. Sounds interesting .….

Liam’s piano has taken the stage with such people as Christine Tobin and Dave Liebman. It’s been said of him that he has ‘a reputation as one of Britain’s most versatile and inventive pianists simultaneously combining a full knowledge of the tradition with a willingness to experiment’ (Jazzman blog). One of his albums was put together as a tribute to the legend, Dave Brubeck. Brubeck’s response was that it was an inspiration and a challenge to him.