Jemima Whyte + Verushka
Lineup
About the Event
Jemima Whyte
25 year-old Jemima Whyte is the newest alto saxophonist, singer and composer bringing a refreshing tone to the contemporary UK jazz scene. Influenced from a young age by alto masters such as Kenny Garrett, her distinctive sound and rich arrangements are beginning to excite jazz audiences in venues across the UK.
With roots in the north, Jemima’s debut compositions combine her experiences of the vibrant Leeds dance culture and jazz scene with the exciting new influences of London, where she is now based. Described as music of joy, warmth and energy, Jemima’s work blends afrobeat grooves with rich, harmonised horn lines, whilst incorporating her love for old school breaks and intimate gospel interludes. Her confident, angular improvising style and soulful vocals set her apart from other artists. Jemima first singles ‘Conch’ and ‘Eos’ have gained over 13,000 streams, being played on several radio stations including BBC 3's “Round Midnight’, Voices Radio, Ruth Fisher’s show on Delite Radio, and jazz re:freshed’s radio channel Dope Jazz. Jemima’s full EP was released in December 2025, a fresh and original work bursting with the freedom and expression that only improvised jazz jam sessions can provide.
Verushka
VERUSHKA is an artist, producer and DJ based in South London whose music collapses earthy, moving soundscapes into jazz-tinged, soulful compositions. Her self-written and arranged 2022 album Not Even Bliss received support from BBC London, 6 Music and Jazz FM. The album launch sold out and Verushka went on to play various live shows, including Supreme Standards and We Out Here Festival. Now, after hermitting away in her SE London studio and spending time building her session and DJ career, Verushka is back with new music.
With support from JazzFM, OneJazz and Twisted Soul, she released Holding On in September 2025, a track co-written with Chris Booth, featuring Yves Fernandez on bass and David Mrakpor on drums and keys. With a full-length music video, Verushka explores that weird in-between space many of us experienced during lockdown.
2026 brings the release of a self-produced EP, Don’t Wanna Be Here I Just Wanna Be There