Haffner/Kai/Waters trio

About

'Donovan Haffner, winner of the ‘Breakthrough Artist of Year’ award at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 and 'Jazz Newcomer' category at the Jazz Parliamentary Awards 2025 is a south-east London born and bred alto saxophonist. Donovan has played with Moses Boyd, Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, and Balimaya. He has also performed with the Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson, Joshua Redman's pianist Paul Cornish as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, and was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of, American jazz legend, Charles Tolliver's Big Band, headlining at the Barbican as part of the London Jazz Festival. Joel Waters is a London-based drummer known for his dynamic performances with Olivia Dean and collaborations with rising jazz talents like Sultan Stevenson. He studied Jazz at Trinity Laban, and has studied under tutors Dave Wickins, Gene Calderazzo, James Maddren and Asaf Sirkis. Rio Kai is a multi-award-winning bassist, musical director and composer. He has performed as both a bandleader and sideman across a range of projects, including Seed. which received a Mercury Prize nomination in 2019, Nérija, winner of Best Newcomer at the 2017 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the Benet McLean Quintet, Do Not Assume, Stratos and collaborations with the London Contemporary Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra.