HE’s one of Britain’s most expressive, melodic and empathetic drummers, a true percussive artist. South Londoner Mark Sanders, of Belizean heritage, is playing a three-night residency at Cafe Oto, Dalston, east London from March 30 to April 1, and all music lovers should hear him — as well as see him play, for what he does with his sticks, brushes, hands, gongs, drums, woodblocks and cymbals is a rare musical spectacle.

For four decades he has been at the centre of Britain’s improvising scene, and his fellow musicians on these three nights are all nonpareils of spontaneous sounds. On March 30 Sanders plays with Aberystwyth harpist Rhodri Davies and the scintillating east London vocalist Elaine Mitchener. 

On March 31 his guests are two Germans, pianist Georg Graewe and viola virtuoso Laura Strobl, with mandolinist Phil Durrant and the beautiful notes of Welsh saxophonist Rachel Musson. On April 1 his quartet-mates are British/Grenadian arch-bassist Neil Charles, veteran saxophonist Larry Stabbins and guitarist Adrian Utley.

On any of these nights you will hear Sanders’ democracy of the drums, for his music is truly born in the art of listening, absorbing and instantaneously responding to the provocative sounds of his fellow musicians. For what you will hear is the music of sharing, of the artistry of unison, there in the throbbing heart of cosmopolitan London.

Mark Sanders will play Cafe Oto on March 30, 31 and April 1. For more information see: cafeoto.co.uk.