Mike De Souza Quintet

Guitarist and composer Mike De Souza presents his quintet, bringing together leading voices from the UK jazz scene: Julian Siegel (tenor saxophone), Rick Simpson (piano/synth), Huw V Williams (bass) and Jay Davis (drums). Described by Jazzwise as a “burgeoning guitar talent”, De Souza has performed at major European venues including the Elbphilharmonie, and at festivals in Graz, Varna and Kraków, where he was also a finalist in the 2021 Jarek Śmietana Jazz Guitar Competition. The set features original music that moves between groove-driven riffs, rich harmonic writing and open improvisation, with acoustic and electronic elements combining to create a dynamic and immersive sound. Mike De Souza is a London-based guitarist and composer whose work combines detailed composition with a contemporary approach to sound. His releases include Road Fork, Slow Burn, Chrysalis (Fresh Sound New Talent) and Schism, each reflecting an evolving balance between acoustic jazz interplay and a broader, more textural palette. His writing is often centred around distinctive guitar-led material, moving between structured passages and open improvisation.