Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival #wearejazz

A burst of tropical sun, songs from the ocean, Azhaar Saffar’s music conjures the ‘sabor’ of journeys that inspired her recent release ‘Original Love’. With new project, Global Wave, creating a joyful, irreverent fusion of jazz and world rhythms, she will be debuting songs from her next album.

“One of the most distinctive acts on the jazz world scene" BBC Radio Wales

Singer/violinist/composer Azhaar Saffar recently returned from Central America to form new project Global Wave. The successful first release Original Love, featured Snowboy's massive production of the title track and made a big splash on the airwaves worldwide, continuing the world jazz experience of acclaimed Brazilian group, Sirius B, enhanced by Azhaar’s soaring violin. Tonight she will be debuting exciting collaborations planned for her next album with Gareth Lockrane who will be appearing to give a taste of what is to come - be prepared for an irreverent fusion of jazz, world rhythms and sunshine grooves! From Iraqi/Welsh origins, Azhaar has always followed a nomadic, unorthodox lifestyle - the main inspiration for her compositions.

A trained concert violinist from Royal Northern College of Music, most of her time was spent listening to jazz. Travel played a crucial role as she discovered jazz in Manchester, Arabic music in Egypt, bossa nova in Brazil, funk in Brighton, cumbia in Costa Rica, African Music in Mali and blues on the south side of Chicago. The tracks for her recent album ‘Original Love’ were composed in Costa Rica where she relocated after parting ways with long-time partner Joe Cavanagh. Her 1st release, 'Looking for a Miracle' (Melodie) was with acid jazz group Wildflower, they toured Europe in an ex-US army bus which broke down in Switzerland just as the band split up!

From their humble beginnings with acid jazz group Wildflower, they promoted their 1st album 'Looking for a Miracle' (Melodie) touring Europe in an ex-US army bus which broke down in Switzerland! Azhaar and Joe then went on to form the popular Brazilian jazz fusion group Sirius B, releasing 6 albums on Freestyle Records and Blues Interactive, Japan - Posto Novo was voted one of Jazz FM’s top 10 albums that year. She later released a solo album 'Out There' on 33 Records, with stunning performances from Jason Rebello, Ian Ballamy and Mike Mower.

Azhaar Saffar - vocals/violin, Anders Olinder - keyboards, Guillaume Ottaviani - bass guitar, Paolo Adamo - drums, Pedro Alvez - percussion.

Doors open 7pm, music from 8pm.

Photo credit: Jennifer Harter, Costa Rica