Ineza

Recognised by Jazzwise as a 2026 Name to Watch, vocalist Ineza returns to PizzaExpress Live, blending jazz and soul from her acclaimed debut album IBUKA to explore themes of memory and identity.

Praised by Jazz in Europe as “highly musical and genuinely fresh,” IBUKA was named Recording of the Week by Presto Music and earned Ineza a place among Jazzwise’s Names to Watch 2026. An engaging live performer, Ineza has toured with Tom Odell, performed alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, and graced leading jazz venues and festivals throughout Europe.

Ineza is a Rwandan-born, Belgian-raised jazz vocalist with a voice described as powerful, expressive, and deeply emotive. A distinctive presence on the UK jazz scene, she is celebrated for blending raw honesty with refined artistry, creating music that is both intimate and emotionally compelling.

Her critically acclaimed debut album as a leader and songwriter, IBUKA (2025), established her as one of the UK's most exciting emerging jazz voices. Meaning "remember" in Kinyarwanda, the album is a deeply personal reflection on memory, heritage, identity, and loss, inspired by her journey from Rwanda to Belgium and now the UK. Across eight original compositions, Ineza combines lyrical storytelling with contemporary jazz, soul, and folk influences to create music that is both accessible and adventurous.

IBUKA received widespread critical acclaim, with Jazz in Europe describing it as "highly musical and genuinely fresh,
" while Presto Music named it its Recording of the Week. In 2026, Jazzwise recognised Ineza as one of its Names to Watch, highlighting her as an important new voice in British jazz.

Since graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Ineza has built a diverse performing career. She has toured with award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Odell, performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and features on the London Vocal Project's 2026 album Vital Spark alongside Dave Holland and Norma Winstone. Alongside her performing career, she has contributed to theatre productions and studio recordings for a range of projects, including work for the BBC.

A regular performer at leading jazz venues and festivals across Europe, Ineza has appeared at festivals including Jazzahead (Germany), Varna Jazz Days (Bulgaria), and Svendborg Jazz Festival (Denmark). She has also opened for Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra and Michelle David & The True Tones.

Drawing on her rich cultural background and love of storytelling, Ineza's live performances are both intimate and captivating, combining expressive vocals, lyrical songwriting, and fearless improvisation. UK Jazz News described her as "a vocalist and songwriter of impressive talent, " while Jazz in Europe wrote that IBUKA is an album that "will help shape jazz's next chapter.

"“A musician that brings something distinct, remarkable and exciting”" - Cerys Matthews - BBC Radio 2