Matters Unknown

Jonathan Enser, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and member of UK afro-jazz group Nubiyan Twist, defines his new project, Matters Unknown, as "celestial blues wrapped in contemporary global grooves."

Enser’s love for music began in rural England, where he was drawn to the trumpet at age nine, sparking a lifelong journey into brass. After honing his craft with Neil Yates and graduating in Jazz Performance in 2013, he pursued musical knowledge across the globe and collaborated with legends like Mulatu Astatke and Tony Allen. Enser’s blend of spiritual and soulful influences is grounded in blues roots, with grooves that incorporate African diasporic sounds and even West Coast trap.

Matters Unknown brings together top UK musicians from Nerija, Nala Sinephro, Emma-Jean Thackray’s band, and more. Following well-received singles A Beginning and BlindSpot, the group recently released Hewester—a track on New Soil dedicated to bassist Alec Hewes, exploring themes of connection and rootedness.

Their debut album, We Aren’t Just, has just been released with lots of positive radio airplay. This modular project flexes from a larger ensemble to a trio who will play for us next year at The Unitarian.