ALFA MIST - Roulette Tour @ Metropol

Alfa Mist prioritises feeling over perfectionism, a credo that drives his creativity as a multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and producer. Since his debut Nocturne (2015), he has established himself as one of the UK’s most distinctive musical voices, collaborating with the likes of Jordan Rakei, Tom Misch, and Loyle Carner. His music spans hip-hop beats, jazz ensemble orchestration, and neo-classical works.

Growing up in east London, Alfa’s path to jazz was unexpected. “There’s no access to jazz where I come from,” he says. “Society made us think there were only three options for Black kids: be a musician, sportsperson, or criminal.” During school, he experimented with grime instrumentals, and later, inspired by producers like Madlib and J Dilla, he taught himself piano to explore the harmonic depth of their tracks.

In 2017, Alfa broke through with Antiphon: intricate instrumentals combined with snippets of conversation with his brothers about family. Structuralism (2019) explored identity and the influence of his Ugandan mother. Bring Backs (2021) blended groove-based experiments with a poem by Hilary Thomas about community in exile, showing Alfa unguarded in his reflection on poverty and success. With Variables (2023), he returned with more energy and tempo, inspired by the revival of live shows.

This energy also defines his performances – from London’s Barbican to the Sydney Opera House. His band records on tape, allowing only two takes. “I make careful decisions beforehand but let the band bring their own expressions in the moment,” he says. This balance of control and spontaneity shapes his sound.

Alfa also runs his label Sekito, releases his own projects, supports artists like Kaya Thomas-Dyke and Jamie Leeming, and hosts the Are We Live podcast with Barney Artist and Jordan Rakei. In 2024, he released Recurring, a live album with the Amika Quartet – inspired by classic live jazz recordings, capturing a unique moment that cannot be repeated.

He now returns with Roulette, a sci-fi concept album set in a dystopian near future where reincarnation is scientifically proven. Conceived, written, and produced by Alfa himself, it continues his approach of combining personal experience with visionary concepts.

“Music is a gift that never stops giving,” he says. “There will always be a question, and I’m just searching for new ways to answer it.”

Photo: Dan Medhurst

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