JAZZ pianist Sam Leak will return to a city venue on Thursday, April 18 with three other heavyweights from the London scene.

Leak first appeared at Worcester’s The Marrs Bar last May with the London-based, Italian guitarist Francesco lo Castro in a line-up that included Rob Statham on bass and Neil Bullock on drums.

This time he’s returning with his own project Looking Glass, playing jazz-fusion inspired by the masters of the genre, including Allan Holdsworth, Weather Report and John McLaughlin.

Leak was described by Jazz FM’s Helen Mayhew as “one of the brightest stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser and a brilliant prospect for the future”.

The Wire’s Marcus O’Dair regards Leak among “the best pianists of their generation”.

His eponymous 2011 debut album was listed in Mojo Magazine’s Top Ten International Releases of the Year.

Leak is joined by three more heavyweights from the burgeoning London jazz scene.

Guitarist Nick Linnik and drummer Laurie Lowe, who performed together in Yolanda Charles’ Project PH at The Marrs Bar in February 2023, will be joined by bassist Flo Moore, making her debut at the city venue.

Expect space-age textures, intense interaction and virtuosic improvising.

From contemporary soundscapes to infectious grooves, this line-up brings something fresh to the music while maintaining a deep connection with its roots.

The event is presented by local promoter Music Spoken Here which has been showcasing the best from the UK jazz, funk and soul scene since 2022 with gigs every other Thursday at The Marrs Bar.

It follows a record turn-out for their show last week of Iain Ballamy’s IBQT which included county resident Robert Fripp in the audience.

Ballamy’s band included King Crimson drummer Jeremy Stacey.

Admission to all Music Spoken Here events is ticketless — people are asked to just turn up and pay what they can on the door. The show starts at 8pm.

Alternatively, they can join the Music Spoken Here Members club for free entry to all events plus other benefits.

For more information, visit the Music Spoken Here website at https://musicspokenhere.club