NEWS & EVENTS

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Apphia Campbell brings her acclaimed play with back to Wilton’s for three nights only. 

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, Apphia Campbell’s stunning solo performance Black Is The Color Of My Voice follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist seeking redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.

2nd August to 4th August 7.30pm.

£15 – £27.50 full price, £12.50 – £25 concessions

In this new edition of Drop Da Biscuit I link up with someone who was integral to the growth and development of reggae in the UK, Dandy Livingstone, the man behind “Rudy a Message”, “Suzanne Beware of the Devil”, “Reggae in Your Jeggae” and “Red Red Wine”. Dandy lays out his musical journey that includes the rise and fall of Lee Gopthal and Trojan records (UK’s Motown) and how his classic tunes, covered by the likes of UB40 and The Specials, came to be.

Dandy sets out his musical journey including the rise and fall of Trojan records (UK’s Motown) and how his classic tunes covered by the likes of UB40 and The Specials came to be.

This exhibition will explore work by artists from the Caribbean who made their home in Britain, alongside other British artists who have also made work addressing Caribbean themes and heritage. It celebrates how people from the Caribbean have forged new communities and identities in post-war Britain – and in doing so have transformed British culture and society.

The exhibition features over 40 artists, including Aubrey Williams, Donald Locke, Horace Ové, Sonia Boyce, Claudette Johnson, Peter Doig, Hurvin Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner and Alberta Whittle.

Very interesting report from Musically on the British parliament’s inquiry into the economics of music streaming, which has just been published.

The main recommendations are:

• Introducing broadcast-style equitable remuneration (ER) for streaming income
• An investigation by the UK’s competition watchdog the CMA into major labels’ market power and business practices
• Legislation giving artists a “right to recapture” their works after 20 years
• Calling for songs (and thus songwriters and publishers) to get a bigger share of streaming royalties
  

Drop Da Biscuit links up with a true legend of Jamaican music, the great B.B. Seaton. Bibby reveals, among other things, how the Gaylads came together, the harsh, but crucial, mentoring meted out by Boris Gardiner, received record royalties, which was unheard of in the 1960s reggae scene. Bibby also developed Soul Beat, worked at the Jamaican Federation of Musicians and penned some serious classics for top artists including Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown and UB40 among others. A truly amazing legacy.

Following sell out tours of the UK, USA and Europe with their unique interpretation of Graceland, London's most in-demand choir return with a new production that has been years in development.

The London African Gospel Choir take on the Bob Marley songbook at the Jazz Café. These never before seen shows will see the redemption songs reinterpreted with their inimitable African choral arrangements and the music stunningly rearranged for the Choir's 8-piece band. 

Mon Aug 2 2021

5 Parkway Camden Town, London NW1 7PG

Melelik Shabazz, who has died aged 67 of diabetes-related complications, produced a compelling body of work depicting the lives of black Britons, underlining their struggles with pervasive racism, and countering the often reductive narratives of the mainstream media.

Check out Melelik Shabazz' obituray by David Katz.

The Jazz Café celebrates the life and times of Gil Scott-Heron in the company of his former bandmates and friends. This show has been rescheduled from 1st April 2020. All tickets will remain valid.

The Revolution Will Be Live is the critically acclaimed, festival-headlining show, lovingly put together by Kim Jordan, Gil’s musical director for over 30 years, and his protégé Malik Al Nasir, whose band Malik & The O.G’s will feature Voice UK finalist Michelle John.

Listen back to the Drop Da Biscuit session with Locksley Gichie (Cimarons). Locksley muses about the early days of The Cimarons, tours to Nigeria during the Biafran war, linking with Fela at the Afro-Spot, backing Pat Kelly, Toots, Slim Smith among others, inspiring Bob's ‘Concrete Jungle’, the Morning Sun story, pros and cons of signing to major labels and the iconic Old Grey Whistle Test performance with Nicky Thomas and Dennis Alcapone. What a trip!

The longest running reggae concert series, “The Giants of Lovers Rock” is back for 2021.

Featuring 20 from the authentic line up of Lovers Rock artistes from the golden era of the 70s & 80s all backed by a live band, making it the number one memory lane show.

All of the Kings & Queens will be in attendance.

Full line up TBA expect to see all of your favourites.

Listen again to the Drop Da Biscuit session with The Great Wassie One. Wassie reflects on his south-east London roots and his musical journey playing blues parties, clubs and festivals spinning reggae roots, rockers, rare dubplates, soul, rare groove and cheesy jukebox cuts. After connecting with Brixton Splash and kicking it on radio, Wassie developed into the one-man club dancehall DJ we know today going from strength to strength. Shout out to Wendy @ Rockers Uptown Hats for the photo and the hat.

Check out Sound System Outernational #7 online in association with Sonic Street Technologies ERC research project: Sound Systems at the Crossroads, 9-16 July 2021, 4pm to 6pm UK time (BST). Sound systems are currently at a crossroads despite the unprecedented explosion of the form during the last decades. Sound system culture has gained increasing attention from cultural organisations, the music industry and researchers. But the pandemic has been accelerating trends in both positive and negative directions.