Nao Yoshioka + CROOKS INC & Orchard
Global Soul are delighted to be working with acclaimed Japanese vocalist Nao Yoshioka after co-promoting her Jazz Café headline in 2023.A contemporary soul singer with a powerful voice and expressive skills refined in New York, this artist blends a modern taste distinct from a laid-back style yet deeply rooted in history. Born in Japan she moved to New York.Nao’s impressive live vocal performances have achieved over 4.4 million views on a now-viral YouTube video. She is the first Japanese artist to reach the 32nd spot on the Billboard UAC chart. Her collaborations with veteran artists like John Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, and Mamas Gun have garnered strong support, and she’s also worked with rising artists like Devin Morrison and Blue Lab Beats. In 2024, she released her highly anticipated 5th album, “Flow,”.Nao Yoshioka continues to rise as a star in the soul music scene, embracing connections and inspiring positive change through her humble and heartfelt musical expressions.
CROOKS INC
An independent London-based band making waves on the UK Jazz scene with a unique blend of 90s R&B and modern jazz. This six-piece collective, featuring Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keys, Sax, and Vocals, delivers smooth, sultry tones that create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Formed in late 2021, CROOKS INC. have already headlined at iconic venues like Ronnie Scott's, Brixton Jamm, and XOYO, showcasing their evolving sound. With three singles under their belt, the band is carving out a distinct identity, drawing inspiration from artists such as Erykah Badu, Yazmin Lacey, and Oscar Jerome. Their latest track, "Let Go," emerged from a spontaneous jam session and delves into the struggle of self-prioritization and recognizing unhealthy relationships. The song features heartfelt lyrics layered over jazz and soul-infused instrumentals, highlighting the band's creative and emotional depth.
Orchard
The newest eight-piece neo-soul group to emerge from the London jazz scene. Having met at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, they have been shaped by their shared love of the jazz tradition, and yet bring their most valuable contributions to the music through individual influences and unique musical backgrounds. Celebrating the interaction between individuality and collective experience is what Orchard’s music is all about - like rows of trees in the orchard, each individual voice grows in conversation with the whole.
Heavily influenced by artists such as Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper and Kokoroko, Orchard’s music synthesises meaningful songwriting with heavy grooves, warm horn lines, and blistering improvisation. Having met on the Artist Masters course, Orchard’s sound is fully grown - they released their first single, Honesty, in November 2024, and their full EP will be relased later this year.
Line up:
Evie Hill - Vocals
Diarra Walcott-Ivanhoe - Piano
Lewis Kentaro - Drums
Joe Orme - Bass
Calum Harrison - Guitar
Cat Eden - Trombone
Matt Hill - Trumpet
Jemima Whyte - Alto Saxophone
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Nao Yoshioka Live + CROOKS INC & Orchard

Nao Yoshioka Live + CROOKS INC & Orchard
The Lower Third
London