Milap collaborate with Future Yard for the first time, to present virtuoso British-Asian bass player Shez Raja. Voted one of the ‘Hottest Bass Players in the World’ by readers of Bass Player magazine, Shez Raja is renowned for his high energy live shows, unique Indo-jazz-funk sound and global star collaborations with Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Trilok Gurtu and Wayne Krantz.

Shez will lead a stunning line-up that features sax sensation Vasilis Xenopoulos, Chris Jerome (Courtney Pine) on keys and rising drum star Jamie ‘Drumcat’ Murray. Expect exciting music that’s full of surprises – a sonic kaleidoscope of euphoric jazz, thundering funk, tuneful ragas and intoxicating grooves.

Born and raised in Parkgate, Wirral, Raja was hugely active in the local music scene throughout the 1990s, before moving to London where he became a prominent session musician and later started his own band. 

“I’m so excited to be performing in Liverpool, where my music career began. I have incredible memories from those early shows, the vibrant music scene and amazing audiences. It’s where I developed my passion for music and my unique voice as a musician. It’s where I drew my inspiration. I used to deliver the Wirral Globe as a boy and that’s how I earned the money to buy my first bass, so I can’t wait to return to Birkenhead for what will be a truly special and heartfelt performance”
Shez Raja

“Vivid and highly engaging”
★★★★★
– BBC Music Magazine

“A tailor-made festival band with a unique identity”
★★★★
– The Guardian

“The hip-shaking mix of Eastern song lines and funky Western dance-beats never wavers”
★★★★
– Evening Standard