GSMD Lunchtime Concert: Yamakozo

Yamakozo play The Jazz Social on Thursday 12 November, a lunchtime set that's part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. It starts at 1:00pm, so it's one of those gigs you can fit into a long lunch break if you're working nearby.

The band is led by guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Alex Allen, and the trio is rounded out by Mark McQuillan on double bass and Wisdom Udensi on piano. The three met while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, so they've got a shared history that goes back to their time in the classroom. They describe their sound as fusing jazz improvisation with the grooves of funk and soul — the sort of thing that works just as well for a focused listen as it does for something you can nod along to while you're eating.

It's a free concert, and it's being staged at The Jazz Social, a pop-up space at Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street, London EC2V 9HT. The room has mixed standing and seating, but seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations. If you're keen on a seat, it's worth getting there a bit early. The set kicks off at 1:00pm on Thursday 12 November, and entry is free.