David Kayode
mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)
David Kayode saxophone / Emily Tran piano / Marlon Hibbert steel pan / Nathan Dawkins bass / Ayo Salawu drums / Emma Marsh percussion
Hailing from North-West London and having spent his recent years studying in Manchester, tenor saxophonist David Kayode is fast becoming one of the most compelling new voices in UK jazz.
Steeped in the sounds of reggae, Ghanaian highlife and the rhythms of his childhood home, Kayode channels a rich musical heritage through the expressive power of the saxophone. Here to open mjf2026, he teases new music from his debut EP Ade Kayode.
A graduate of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Kayode honed his craft under the mentorship of Gary Crosby OBE and Camilla George, an evolution that has defined his warm, commanding sound and expressive improvisations.
Kayode’s artistry balances deep respect for the jazz tradition with a forward-looking spirit, delivering groove-driven performances that weave carnival energy and West African rhythms into the language of modern jazz. His collaborations already span an impressive range, from Ni Maxine to Afro-rock pioneers Osibisa and Moses Boyd.
Kayode is also founder of Purple Collective, an artist-led platform and events movement dedicated to building space for diasporic creativity through jams, collaborations and community gatherings.
His practice extends into education and cultural engagement, including mentoring young musicians and delivering workshops.
With a sound rooted in heritage but driven by innovation, Kayode represents the next wave of British jazz: bold, groove-infused, and unapologetically original.
Watch a clip from David’s most recent album, HERE.
Photography Credit: Ella B Shoots
Date: friday 15 may
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Price: Free
