Shapeshifter is a new trio featuring three special creative voices on the UK scene, Mark Lockheart (saxes), Huw V Williams (bass) and Jay Davis (drums). Unique and distinctive, this energising trio moves from moment to moment, gracefully and spontaneously stitching together sound landscapes and grooves. Together they take the exploratory spirit of Mark Lockheart’s previous groups Polar Bear and Malija and bring together joint influences from jazz, rock, classical and free improvisation to explore a myriad of darker textures and a constant shifting sound full of the unexpected. With music that features original compositions from all three members of the trio alongside carefully chosen works by Bill Frisell, Joe Henderson and Paul Motian, Shapeshifter’s debut album was released in March, and we’re really excited to present this music at The Lescar. Have a listen here!: https://youtu.be/8mh0msninTY?si=QdN9wjvmwgFeE2Ny From beginnings as a member of pioneering big band Loose Tubes, multi-award-winning Mark Lockheart is one of the UK’s most distinctive and forward-thinking saxophonists and composers, celebrated for his fearless creativity and genre-defying collaborations, and at the forefront of developments in UK jazz from influential bands including Perfect Houseplants and Mercury Prize/MOBO-nominated legends Polar Bear, through to his award-winning Ellington in Anticipation band, and trio Malija, with Jasper Høiby and Liam Noble. Across an incredible career he has collaborated with the likes of Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Seb Rochford, June Tabor, Django Bates, the NDR Big Band, Robert Wyatt, Radiohead, and Mark-Anthony Turnage, with whom he premiered major contemporary works such as About Water and Anna Nicole at the Royal Opera House. He has also performed with and collaborated alongside an extraordinary range of composers and artists across genres, including Huw Warren, Nikki Iles, Laura Jurd, John Parricelli, John Paul Jones, John Pattitucci, Louis Stewart, Stereolab, Prefab Sprout, Thomas Dolby, Burt Bacharach, and even comedy icons Ronnie Corbett and Tommy Cooper. Huw V Williams is one of the most exciting bass players on the UK scene, performing with world class musicians including Jim Black, Huw Warren, Jeff Williams, Laura Jurd and Ivo Neame. Away from the world of jazz and improvised music he also plays with Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) and Kliph Scurlock (formerly of the Flaming Lips). Previously at The Lescar with his own band HON (which featured Laura Jurd and Elliot Galvin) and most recently in a brilliant quartet line-up Di-Csygodion, as well as recording with George Crowley and NYC drummer Devin Gray, Another award-winner, Jay Davis (drums) has performed with artists including Yazz Ahmed, Nikki iles, Alex Hitchcock, Rob luft, Laura Jurd, Elliot Galvin, Stan Sulzmann, John Parricelli and Emma Rawicz, and as co-leader in Big Bad Wolf, as well as venues across the UK, Europe and Asia at venues including Umbria jazz festival, Leipzig Jazztage, London Jazz festival, Jimmy glass (Valencia), Jamboree (Barcelona), Jazzwerkstatt (Graz), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Ronnie Scott’s (London), and The Roundhouse (London).