Mali Sheard is a rising London-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. An alumna of the celebrated Tomorrow’s Warriors talent development programme and a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, she has quickly established a prominent voice within the thriving world of UK jazz. Beyond her solo work, Sheard has honed her collaborative drive and commanding stage presence as a member of the acclaimed London-based eight-piece ensemble Ankora. Her creative ethos connects her deep reverence for acoustic jazz traditions to vibrant, nature-inspired storytelling, marking her as one of thecapital's most compelling young bandleaders.

On debut, Mali Sheard delivers a flawlessly executed seven-track collection that announces her as a composer of exceptional poise. Credit as sole composer across the entire set is a mature-beyond-her-years feat, yielding pieces that balance melodic fluidity with sophisticated structural depth. 

Sheard’s rapid artistic trajectory, and the quality of her musical foundation, has attracted to her orbit a pair of outstanding guest luminaries, no less than celebrated British guitarist Rob Luft and pianist Huw Warren. Rather than overshadowing the leader, these elite collaborators mesh seamlessly into the tight-knit ensemble. Tracks like "When The Sun", "It's Fun To Be A Cat" and the title track , showcase Luft’s shimmering fretwork against Sheard’s soaring saxophone lines, while Warren’s harmonic intelligence grounds delicate arrangements on "Breathe" to tempestuous atmospherics on "Afternoon Tea With A Demon". Rich in texture and dynamic momentum, Hayfever represents an impressive modern jazz statement of serious artistic intent.