Cassie Kinoshi is a British jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader who leads the group SEED Ensemble, who were nominated for a Mercury Prize award in 2019. Kinoshi grew up in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (Composition) as well as Tomorrow's Warriors. In 2019, SEED Ensemble were nominated for a Mercury Prize award for their album Driftglass. Kinoshi told DIY that she "screamed really high pitch and ran around in circles" when she heard about the nomination. The album received an 85% jump in sales as a result of the nomination.