Indo-jazz trailblazers head to Liverpool as Milap reveals Spring 2026 shows

Liverpool-based Indian arts organisation Milap has unveiled an expanded Spring 2026 programme, bringing some of the most exciting names in contemporary Indo-jazz to venues across the city region.

Following a landmark year in 2025, which saw Milap celebrate its 40th anniversary, the organisation has wasted no time kicking off 2026 in style. With the first show of the new season already sold out, Milap has now announced two standout performances taking place in February and March.

One of the highlights sees acclaimed percussionist, composer and producer Sarathy Korwar head to Future Yard in Birkenhead on Saturday 28 March. Korwar will be performing material from his latest studio album There Is Beauty, There Already, showcasing his distinctive approach to rhythm, voice and electronics.

A leading figure on the UK jazz scene, Korwar has earned widespread recognition from outlets including The Guardian, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Songlines and Jazz FM. His accolades include MOJO’s Jazz Album of the Year in 2019, a second place spot in The Guardian’s Best Global Albums of 2022 and Songlines’ Best Album of the Year in 2023. His live shows are known for blending South Asian temple rhythms with contemporary minimalism, creating a powerful and forward-thinking take on Indo-jazz.

Milap also returns to Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026 with a special collaborative performance from two multi-award-winning musicians. Pianist and composer Zoe Rahman joins forces with clarinettist and composer Arun Ghosh for a one-off show on Saturday 28 February.

Zoe Rahman is internationally recognised as one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz, with a sound rooted in jazz and classical traditions. Her career has included collaborations with Courtney Pine and George Mraz, alongside numerous awards including the Ivor Novello Impact Award.

Arun Ghosh is another major force in UK jazz, celebrated for his innovative approach to Indo-jazz. A twice winner of Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Ghosh has toured extensively and released a string of critically acclaimed projects that fuse jazz with global influences.

Together, Rahman and Ghosh will explore their shared British-Bengali heritage, blending South Asian musical traditions with jazz in an intimate musical conversation that reflects Liverpool’s long-standing connection to cultural fusion and innovation.

Tickets for all Milap Spring 2026 shows are available now.

Check out the Liverpool International Jazz Festival back for 2026.

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