**Hidden Gems: Modern Jazz Artists You Need to Hear Now**

Hailing from East London, Alfa Mist is a self-taught pianist and producer who creates jazz that feels like a film score for urban life. His music is a melancholic yet hopeful blend of jazz harmony, hip-hop beats, and soulful melodies that transport listeners to rain-soaked city streets at dusk.

What sets Alfa Mist apart is his narrative approach to composition. Each album tells a story, with tracks flowing into one another like chapters in a novel. His 2019 album Structuralism explores themes of connection and isolation in the modern world, while 2021's Bring Backs (with longtime collaborator Jamie Leeming on guitar) reflects on his upbringing in Newham.

Start with: "Keep On" from Antiphon—a perfect introduction to his hypnotic, repetitive piano figures and atmospheric production.

If you haven't yet encountered Nubya Garcia, prepare to have your conception of the saxophone transformed. The London-based tenor player has become a central figure in the city's explosive jazz renaissance, blending elements of Caribbean music, Afrobeat, and soul with virtuosic jazz improvisation.

Garcia's music pulses with rhythm and political consciousness. Her debut album Source is a journey through her musical and cultural heritage, exploring themes of identity, migration, and belonging. When she plays live, her energy is magnetic—building complex rhythmic patterns that lock perfectly with her exceptional band.

Start with: "Pace" from her Source album—a driving, hypnotic track that showcases her powerful tone and compositional depth.

At just 28, Joel Ross has already redefined the possibilities of the vibraphone in modern jazz. With a seemingly effortless technique and boundless creativity, Ross creates soundscapes that are simultaneously intricate and accessible, intellectual and emotional.

His Blue Note releases KingMaker and Who Are You? showcase his gift for melody and group interaction. Ross leads his band "Good Vibes" with democratic grace, allowing each member space to contribute to the collective sound. The result is music that feels both composed and spontaneously created—a delicate balance that few achieve.

Start with: "Touched By an Angel" from KingMaker—a breathtaking piece that builds from a simple motif into an emotional tour de force.

While not a "jazz artist" in the traditional sense, Yasmin Williams's innovative approach to the acoustic guitar makes her impossible to ignore for any fan of musical creativity. Using alternate tunings, percussive techniques, and occasionally even playing while standing with her guitar like a keyboard, Williams creates intricate compositions that defy categorization.

Her album Urban Driftwood emerged during the pandemic as a meditative response to turbulent times. The music draws from folk, blues, and West African influences while maintaining a improvisational spirit that feels deeply connected to jazz's exploratory nature.

Start with: "Urban Driftwood" from the album of the same name—a mesmerizing piece that builds complex patterns from simple elements.

Drummer, producer, and bandleader Moses Boyd is at the forefront of London's jazz revolution, though his music reaches far beyond any single genre. Drawing from dub, electronica, Afrobeat, and broken beat, Boyd creates rhythmically sophisticated music that pulses with club energy.

His breakthrough album Dark Matter earned a Mercury Prize nomination, bringing his innovative fusion to wider attention. Boyd understands that rhythm is the body of music while melody is its soul—and he masterfully serves both. Whether leading his explosive live band or crafting electronic productions, his musical voice is unmistakable.

Start with: "Rye Lane Shuffle" from Dark Matter—an irresistible groove that showcases Boyd's talent for making complex rhythms feel natural and danceable.