Jazz saxophonist Mali Sheard is part of our community of music makers. As she begins her third year of undergraduate study in our Jazz Department, we speak to Mali about her inspirations and her time at the Academy so far. Read on below and enjoy a video of Mali improvising on music by Thelonious Monk, filmed on the Academy’s rooftop.
Are you considering the Academy as the next step in your musical journey? Read our new Guide to learn more about studying here, and find out how you can attend one of our upcoming Discovery Events at the Academy this autumn.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC? WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING JAZZ SAXOPHONE?
I started playing saxophone age 7 at my school, however I didn’t start playing jazz until age 13. This was when my passion for music really kickstarted as I loved the sense of individuality and freedom in jazz. At age 15, I joined Tomorrow's Warriors where I found a strong sense of community and met other people my age who were as obsessed with this music as me!
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS?
I have a variety of musical inspirations; when I was first getting into jazz I listened to loads of singers, particularly Frank Sinatra – I was in the top 0.01% of Sinatra listeners on Spotify as a teenager! This is how I discovered many of the jazz standards I still play and adore.
As a saxophone player, I love the energetic and bouncy feel of Phil Woods’ alto playing, yet also love the more soft and subtle tone of Paul Desmond. I compose a lot of music which tends to fall under the blanket of contemporary/folky jazz, inspired by a range of artists such as Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, Laura Mvula and Celtic Woman.
What LED YOU TO STUDY at the Academy?
At age 16, I joined Junior Academy Jazz and was taught weekly by Gareth Lockrane and Matt Anderson. It was these couple of years that introduced me to conservatoire style education and gave me a real fire for pursuing music. Auditioning for the Academy felt like the natural progression.
Mali Sheard improvises on 'Blue Monk' by Thelonious Monk
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU ARE PERFORMING IN THE VIDEO. WHY IS IT SPECIAL TO YOU?
I am playing 'Blue Monk' by Thelonious Monk, who was a jazz pianist with a unique and recognisable sound. It is special to me as it was one of the first tunes that I learnt and used to play with my friends. The blues form is flexible and can be navigated in multiple ways, which is exciting to me as I can be playful with my decisions.
WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE ACADEMY BEEN LIKE TO DATE?
Conservatoire training is definitely an adjustment to being in school as you get to do what you love all day long, which I still find so exciting. The number of amazing projects I’ve been involved in and the access to great musicians through masterclasses and one-to-one teaching has really been a highlight. Recently, I have been taking classes with Giacomo Smith, James Allsopp and Rachael Cohen.
I’ve also had the opportunity to travel with trips to the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood near Paris and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in my second year. Connecting with musicians from other countries was interesting and enjoyable.
Is there a standout memory for you from your time studying here so far?
In March 2024, Nikki Iles and Ingrid Jensen teamed up for a jazz orchestra project that I was lucky to play lead alto on. I felt so fortunate to have a whole week of masterclasses with Ingrid leading up to a gig at the Vortex Jazz Club. Nikki and Ingrid are some of the finest musicians in the world, and the fact they are also women made the project even more special and inspirational for me.
What does the Academy mean to you?
For me, the Academy has been a life changing opportunity so far and I’m excited to see what is to come. I’ve made some really close friends and musical connections that I can’t imagine my life without.
As we start a new academic year, what are you most looking forward to?
Working with bassist Dave Holland, who will be leading the jazz orchestra in a concert in the beautiful Susie Sainsbury Theatre. I’m also excited to meet and collaborate with the new students joining this year and find out about their interests.