In 2017, Bahraini-British trumpeter and flugelhorn

player Yazz Ahmed revolutionised jazz with her al-
bum “La Saboteuse,” blending her dual heritage with

electronic effects to redefine the genre. The record
delves into her British and Bahraini roots, featuring
musicians like Lewis Wright and Shabaka Hutchings,
and is characterised by its Middle Eastern melodies

and evocative rhythms, exploring themes of self-
doubt personified by a female saboteur.

Yazz’s early years in Bahrain and her grandfather’s

trumpet playing in London inspired her musical jour-
ney, with the influence of modern-day contemporary

jazz artists – and Ahmed’s own contemporaries – like
Kamasi Washington and Sons of Kemet also seeping
in. Her unique sound incorporates Arabic melodies,

reflecting her cultural heritage and British jazz influ-
ences. Yazz also challenges the male-dominated