The Turbans, Kefaya, Camilla George, Kinetika Bloco and Urban Flames will play the EFG London Jazz Festival Summer Stage at Royal Albert Docks on 31 August, bringing together East London communities and jazz fans ahead of the November EFG London Jazz Festival. And it’s all free.
Closing the day-long celebrations are The Turbans (see cover photo), binding together music from ‘manywhere’. They ignite audiences with the bacchanalian spirit of the Eastern Mediterranean and their sonically huge, visually arresting performances never fail to get crowds moving. Drawing on the rich cultural heritage of both the Levantine and Balkan regions, they create original music for the 21st century, inspired by ancient melodies.
Kefaya is an eclectic group of immigrants, travellers and international artists finding common ground between global folk traditions, all with a cutting-edge, modern sound. The Best Newcomer Songlines Music Award winners have gained a reputation for their virtuosic and mesmerising live shows and release new Bella Union album Songs Of Our Mothers later this year; a fresh, vibrant take on Afghan folk music filtered through spiritual jazz, dub, Indian classical music and electronica.
Joining Kefaya is MOBO-nominated saxophonist Camilla George. Rising through the ranks of Tomorrow’s Warriors, the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Jazz Jamaica and Courtney Pine’s Venus Warriors band, she was also one of our Take Five artists – Serious’ flagship talent development scheme for emerging jazz musicians. Her African roots and Caribbean ancestry shine through in a mix of jazz, calypso, afrobeat and hard bop with both precision and playfulness.
The exuberant performance group Kinetika Bloco bring their mix of brass, woodwind, percussion, dance and costumes, bringing influences from the Caribbean, Brazil, West and Southern Africa, New Orleans jazz, funk and hip hop to East London.
Vocal collective Urban Flames showcases young, rising talent straight from the development programmes at Urban Development; a Serious partner based in East London that supports the emerging artists of underground music in the UK. The voices within this large ensemble are far scoping; from gospel to soul, RnB to hip hop and more, with an inspiring catalogue of original material.
This exciting event will be part of Join the Docks, a brand-new summer festival packed full of over 150 events including music, theatre, performances, exhibitions, workshops and fun days for all to enjoy all across London’s historic Royal Docks. From July to September come and explore the water, parks and arts venues of this part of east London. Many events are free. Join the Docks this summer and discover something different.
The Royal Albert Dock will also be one of the 60+ venues hosting jazz during the November EFG London Jazz Festival 2019.
Read our preview of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL SUMMER STAGE
Saturday 31 August
LONDON Royal Albert Docks as part of Join the Docks
Midday – 7:30pm
FREE.
Main photo: The Turbans c. Danny North.
