Mammal Hands

Mammal Hands, the Norwich trio formed by Jordan Smart (saxophone), Nick Smart (piano) and Jesse Barrett (drums, percussion), will be at Paul B in Massy on 7 November 2026. Their playground is instrumental jazz that draws as much from spiritual jazz as from minimalism, folk and rhythmic traditions from elsewhere. On stage, the group constructs its pieces from hypnotic piano motifs, melodic saxophone lines and percussive cycles that create a supple tension, always guided by collective listening.

From their earliest recordings to Gift from the Trees, their writing has worked with sonic material, textures and group dynamics, carving out genuine space for improvisation without abandoning the melodic thread. In concert, this is expressed through patiently built progressions, atmospheric breaths and interlocking repetitive pulses. It’s an approach that brings jazz closer to ambient music and certain electronic idioms, driven by precise ensemble playing and an attention to detail that makes the difference in live performance.