Native Sun - A Friday Tonic

Mohammed Yahya

Native Sun

Mohammed Yahya

Sarina Leah

11th January 2019
The Friday Tonic, Southbank, London, UK

Native Sun are a London based duo consisting of bilingual rapper Mohammed Yahya, born in Mozambique , South East Africa and singer-song writer Sarina Leah born in London with Caribbean roots. Joining forces in 2010 Native Sun was born fusing Hip Hop and African rhythms with the aim of promoting a positive message of Universal Peace, Equality, Social Justice and Environmental Change.

Both artists over the years have received a great deal of publicity through collaborations on a variety of compilation CDs, Albums, International Tours across Europe, Africa and U.S, features of on a wide range of publications as well as TV appearances from UK based TV Channels such as BBC and ITV to Channels across Europe. Now together, Native Sun's sweet melodies fuse addictive head bouncing Hip Hop undertones, conscious bilingual lyrics and catchy hooks perfect for a climate in need of an uplifting message.

Sarina Leah

The Friday Tonic series showcases performances from emerging artists in London and around the world. Presenting an eclectic mix of jazz, world, folk and classical music (and with a bit of spoken word thrown in for good measure), these early evening shows are designed to introduce you to sounds you might not have heard before, all for free.

Steve Williamson Trio & StringTing

Steve Williamson Trio

Steve Williamson Trio
String Ting

Date: 11th May 2018
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, Southbank, London, UK

The enigmatic and magnetic saxophonist/composer, Steve Williamson explores the sonic elements that link contemporary classical and progressive jazz composition with his trio and members of Tomorrow’s Warriors StringTing. (Part of Ligeti In Wonderland.)

Steve Williamson (born 28 June 1964) is an English saxophonist and composer.(tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboard and composition). He has been called "one of the most distinctive saxophone voices in contemporary British jazz". Born in west London to Jamaican parents, Steve Williamson began playing saxophone at the age of 16 and started his career playing in reggae bands, including Misty in Roots. In 1984 and 1985 he studied at London's Guildhall School of Music, where he was tutored by Lionel Grigson. Williamson was a member of the noted collective of British-born black jazz musicians who came together as the Jazz Warriors in the mid-1980s. At the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday open-air festival in 1988 Williamson played alongside Courtney Pine in Wembley Stadium and afterwards was a constant presence at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. He was member of Louis Moholo's Viva La Black (1988) and of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (1990). During the 1990s he led his own band and appeared in projects of Iain Ballamy, Maceo Parker, Bheki Mseleku, US3, and Graham Haynes. In 1990 Williamson released his first album A Waltz for Grace with Verve, featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln. In 1992 he released his second album, Rhyme Time, followed by Journey to Truth in 1994, featuring Cassandra Wilson.

StringTing

Tomorrow’s Warriors StringTing is the latest addition to the Tomorrow’s Warriors family of flagship ensembles and is focused around some of our best young string players drawn from our JazzStrings development programme. Members of Tomorrow’s Warriors StringTing meet on a regular basis with their mentor – jazz double bassist and Tomorrow’s Warriors artistic director, Gary Crosby OBE – to work on a wide range of jazz repertoire for performance in a variety of settings, from public concerts and showcases to private functions.  In addition to performances as a distinct ensemble, members also have opportunities to work with our associated professional ensembles, such as Nu Civilisation Orchestra and Jazz Jamaica All Stars.

Robert Mitchell's Panacea - Friday Tonic

Robert Mitchell - Piano

It is hard to believe that this was the first visit to the Mastercard's Friday Tonic on the Southbank for Robert Mitchell's Panacea (13/02/2015). Such is the timing and rejuvenating qualities of this weekly dose of quality jazz that it is the very definition of a Panacea itself. Although lets not get swept away by hyperbole, both the Friday and Mitchell's tonic do have the ability to relieve the weekly stress and burden but unfortunately not to cure a multitude of diseases.

Tom Mason - Bass

The 4 piece Panacea ensemble featured the vocals of Deborah Jordan, Tom Mason on bass, and Laurie Lowe on drums alongside Robert Mitchell's piano artistry. It was the latter that brought me to the London's Southbank to right a personal wrong. In 2013 I sketched the Whirlwind Festival (Kings Place) from beginning to end but had to make difficult choices when more than one band was playing. Mitchell was one of the spaces left unfilled in my sketchbook, although he'd been on my hitlist since playing a sensational session for Gilles Peterson in 2006.

Without beating about the bush, Robert Mitchell was impressive from the very start and never faltered in quality. The two opening tunes were new in the Panacea repertoire, the first immediately drew my pen toward Tom Mason on electric guitar, by the second he had caught the ear too. Switching to double bass his bowing was gentle and arching, his sound reached over a spreading expanse. It was music that was hard to grip, a clawing remembrance of something significant in the mind.

Laurie Lowe - Drums

The Spirit Line was another gentle start, as if we were opening the pages of a book. The first lines of this novel were ambiguous and let us contribute to the narrative ourselves . Throughout we learnt only a small percentage of the character's back stories but we still identified with each of them. By the final chapters the piano of Robert Mitchell was raking us over the coals of denouement. A false finish gave the packed crowd an unexpected epilogue. Yet is was less of a conclusion, more of a nod to a future that held multiple possibilities.

Deborah Jordan - Vocals

If the definition of tribute is "an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration." then Robert Mitchell's eulogy to Debbie Purdy was given with openness. It was though we tiptoed through a darkened room, navigating the blackness with our hands held out in front of us. Blindfold or lights out, willing or forced, we walked with a steady pace even though we were apprehensive. Despite the lightness of instrumentation the composition sat heavy on us, like the lingering oppression of a humid sky.

AL