A joyful expression of the powerful, visionary and cathartic legacy of Black music accompanied by abstract visuals in shades of blue.

Afro Blue features a group of UK Jazz luminaries, each notable in their own right. Winston Clifford is the musician’s musician – the singer’s first choice of drummer, a consummately melodic and expressive player, with a CV of the greatest names in 20th and 21st Century Jazz. Jason Simpson’s deep, resonant double bass provides the bedrock for the group. Jessica Lauren’s piano, organ and electric keys bring a lush palette of colours to the mix, and featured soloist Tamar Osborn is a new star of Jazz, Afrobeats and Contemporary music, playing baritone saxophone, flutes and clarinet with a special lyricism and power. Vocalist Randolph Matthews features as special guest, his charismatic singing and spoken word weaving together with Sabina and the band to make for a moving and joyful evening of song and music.

Expect to hear:

• Little Sunflower – Freddie Hubbard
• Home Is Where The Hatred – Esther Phillips
• Here Comes The Sun – Nina Simone Arrangement

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The music is a soundscape of Black innovation and legacy with the emphasis intentionally being one of joy and celebration. It is the band’s wish to share music that has influenced them as both musicians and individuals. The audience can expect an uplifting journey through Blues, Soul, Jazz, Neo-Soul and Afrofuturist styles and Reggae. Music heavily associated with both the US and UK has been arranged with sensitivity, passion and joy! The band features some of the UK’s finest Jazz players, and two featured vocalists, Randolph Matthews and Sabina Desir.

Jessica and Sabina have a strong relationship with many Jazz musicians from the London Jazz Scene. The following have  been the mainstay of all projects over the last 5 years and are confirmed to feature in Afro Blue – Listening In Colour.

Winston Clifford is one of Britain’s leading jazz drummers who has played with Courtney Pine, Bheki Mseleku, Jason Rebello, Gary Husband, Peter King, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Iain Ballamy, Ronnie Scott Band, Julian Joseph, Andy Sheppard, Jean Toussaint Band, Slim Gaillard, Bobby Watson, Monty Alexander, Gary Bartz, Art Farmer, Archie Shepp, Joey Calderazzo and Freddie Hubbard.

Randolph Matthews: is a composer, musical director and/vocalist who performs both solo and collaboratively through live performances and writing. He has worked and toured around the world with artists across the Classical, Jazz and Contemporary art scenes including Herbie Hancock, Richard Bona, and international performer and choreographer Alesandra Seutin. Alongside album releases, Randolph’s passion for multidisciplinary art forms has led to presenting work in exhibitions in London and internationally including the National Gallery, Greenwich Maritime the British Museum and the BBC.

Jessica Lauren: Jessica’s keyboard skills have augmented the live performances and studio recordings of world renowned artists such as Jean Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel and James Mason, Japan’s United Future Organisation and UK soul diva Juliet Roberts.

Sabina Desir: Freedom Road project founder, multidisciplinary artist, artistic director and producer, Sabina Desir is fast becoming the UK’s leading jazz instrumentalists’ vocalist of choice. She’s performed with players such as saxophonist Jason Yarde, guitarist Tony Remy, Tony Kofi, Vaughan Hawthorn-Nelson, American drummer Doug Sides and pianist Kirk Lightsey, who called her the ‘Spiritual daughter of the great Ella Fitzgerald’.

Jihad Darwish: Bass

Jihad Darwish is a musician, singer and producer from London working within all genres of music. Although focusing mainly on his own music he continues to play with and produce other artists.

He has worked with Sting, Van Morrison, Imelda May, Mica Paris, Eric Bibb, Newton Faulkner, Kristina Train, Nikhil De Sousa Anderson Paak, Ed Motta, Elliot Sumner, Beth Rowley, Gilles Peterson, Zara Mcfarlane, Moses Boyd, Camilla George, Salena Jones and many more.

His own work is released under the name Darwish. He released his debut album  ‘Reclamation’ in 2018 which received a 4 star review and album of the week in the Evening Standard as well as a 4 star review from Jazz wise and has had his music featured by Jamie Cullum, Tom Robinson and BBC Introducing.Tamar ‘Collocutor’ Osborn: saxophonist and multi-woodwind player who has performed with Kelis, Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, tabla maestro Tanmoy Bose, contemporary dance giant Akram Khan, the acclaimed production of Fela! at the National Theatre and Sadler’s Wells, and Africa Express.