Entertainment News

Following the release of his debut Billboard #1 Top 200 Album ‘Bad Habits’, Punjabi-Canadian rapper, and producer NAV announces a headlining show at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London with support from fellow XO Records duo, 88Glam on 20 August 2019 ahead of his debut performance at Reading and Leeds Festival. 88Glam has clocked in over​ 200 million streams globally​ and recently produced the breakout track​ ‘Price On My Head’​ featuring T​he Weeknd​ on B​ad Habits.

The first time Nav ever stepped foot on a stage was as a surprise guest at the O2 Forum with label mate The Weeknd back in 2017, the same year Rolling Stone placed his Coachella debut among the year’s best performances with praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Hypebeast, Complex and The Fader.

Nav has hit almost 200M streams in the UK to date, and 3+ Billion streams globally. Having co-produced the GRAMMY Award-nominated ‘Back To Back’ for Drake and platinum-selling ‘beibs in the trap’ for Travi$ Scott’s blockbuster Birds In the Trap Sing McKnight, NAV rides hypnotic trap beats with his wavy sing-rap flow, crafting a sonic blend that draws upon styles similar to contemporaries such as Post Malone and Drake, quietly arrived as one of rap’s most innovative and infectious voices.

NAV’s self-titled mixtape appeared in early 2017, and it was chock-full of his by-now-trademark silky vocals and slick beats. The lead single preceded the release ‘Some Way’, which also featured the Weeknd. That same year, he also put out the Perfect Timing mixtape, on which he collaborated with Atlanta-based producer Metro Boomin. NAV’s single ‘Wanted You’, which features Lil Uzi Vert, charted on Billboard’s Top 100 and he followed up in early 2018 with the solo single ‘Freshman List’. Both tracks were featured on his debut studio album, Reckless, which was released on XO and Republic in May of that year. Landing in the U.S. top ten, the set featured guests Quavo, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, and Gunna. Less than a year later, NAV made a quick turnaround with sophomore follow-up Bad Habits, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. BET debuted his latest release, Tap ft. Meek Mill in Times Square which has already garnered 90 million global streams.

U.K. Tour Date:  

20 August 2019 - London, U.K.  O2 Forum Kentish Town

NAV will also perform at Reading and Leeds Festival Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August 2019.

Born into the great line of Kouyate Griot in Southern Senegal, Kadialy Kouyate’s kora playing and singing style, both as a soloist and in different ensembles, have been appreciated in many prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the 02 Arena, the National Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall and Clarence House.

Bringing his successful piece of West African afro-pop with a message, he has also played venues and festivals across the world, touring to Europe, Australia and North America. Since his arrival in the UK, Kadialy has played a significant part in enriching the London musical scene with his griot legacy.

He has taught the kora at SOAS, University of London, for the last decade and he has also been involved in countless musical projects both as a collaborator and a session musician. He has toured with the RSC’s production of Julius Caesar, other theatre projects including working at the London Globe Theatre on a show called ‘We the People’ as well as touring three children theatre projects with the renowned Oily Cart. In 2015 he took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach.

Kora virtuoso/singer Kadialy has released several albums – also with collaborations include Rafiki Jazz and Adriano Adewale Group - and makes regular radio and television appearances.

He plays the following live dates this summer:

• July 18 Kansas smity’s
• Aug 03 WILLOWFARM ARTS FESTIVAL Oxford W/Rafiki Jazz
• Aug 04 RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL Nottingham W/Rafiki Jazz
• Aug 25 Shambala Festival with Millie

The Be At One Band has raised £2000 for Help Musicians UK. The group has been touring the UK performing at a number of Be At One bars, raising money for the charity.

Following an online call for singers on the Be At One website to find the very best talent, the Be At One Band was formed and then rehearsed with trained choreographers and a sound coach ahead of its UK tour.

From Don’t Stop Believing to Sister Act, the choir has performed in the following locations: Be At One Hammersmith, Be At One Birmingham and Be At One Liverpool.

Suzanne Baker, Commercial Director of Stonegate Pub Company, said: “It is fantastic that the Be At One Band has fundraised so much for Help Musicians UK and they have had fun along the way. It is such a wonderful cause and it has been great to showcase the amazing talent of some of our customers.”

Belinda Dee, Director of Fundraising of Help Musicians, said: “We at Help Musicians would like to thank Be At One and everyone involved in the choir for donating their time to fundraise and for making this very generous donation, which will allow us to continue doing our vital work for musicians in need.

“For almost a hundred years, Help Musicians has been providing a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians of all ages, genres and at any stage of their career, from times of great need to times of opportunity. We appreciate that the nature of a musician’s life can be precarious, with many complex challenges that can leave them uniquely vulnerable. 2018 saw a larger than ever demand for our services across both creative development and health and welfare and thanks to the generous support of donations, we can continue to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians.”

Jim Jefferies, one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, has announced his biggest UK tour to date. Taking in 5 key arenas across the country ‘The Night Talker Tour’ starts on Tuesday 3rd December at the O2 Arena and culminates on Friday 13th December at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.

Jim has been entertaining audiences across the globe with his provocative and thought-provoking comedy for the best part of twenty years. 2018’s The Unusual Punishment Tour was a complete sell out around the world and received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. “Gleefully gobby and brutally honest” Evening Standard.

He recently signed a deal with Comedy Central for a first look on content development in television and digital media. Additionally, Jim’s eponymous Comedy Central series, The Jim Jefferies Show debuted its third season this March. As a strong voice in late night, the weekly show features Jim traveling across the globe to tackle the top news stories and controversial issues of the day.

He also heads up The Jim Jefferies Show Podcast, this includes interviews and discussions with a variety of guests discussing current events and politics, as well as providing a more in-depth focus on the topics and opinions featured on the TV series - with less filters.

In 2018 he starred in his third Netflix comedy special Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now’, which was recorded at the Eventim Apollo in London. The year before, he released his fifth major stand up special in seven years, Freedumb.

The special was Jim’s second to air on Netflix, and followed the huge success of the first, Jim Jefferies: BARE, in which he delivered a now iconic routine on guns and gun control in the United States. In addition, Jim created, wrote, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed FX series Legit, which ran for two seasons and has since gained a cult following. He has also appeared in the films Killing Hasselhoff and Punching Henry. Jim currently lives in Los Angeles.

DECEMBER

Tues 3rd LONDON - O2 Arena

Thurs 5th BIRMINGHAM - Resorts World Arena

Fri 6th MANCHESTER - Arena

Thurs 12th GLASGOW - The Hydro

Fri 13th NEWCASTLE - Utilita Arena

With the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India last year, we are witnessing a swelling, pink tsunami of LGBTQ+ themes in mainstream and independent Indian films, that are rolling into the international film festival circuit this year.

These fresh narratives and the new, queer film-makers have a unique showcase at the Birmingham Indian Film Festival presented by LIFF, the UK and Europe’s largest South Asian film festival, which will premiere a dedicated programme of entertaining and thought-provoking LGBTQ+ films that explore Transgender, Gay and Lesbian and other Queer identities; the many challenges facing queer people today; but also growing empowerment and fierce pride.

The festival, taking place during Pride month, celebrates its milestone, 5th anniversary in the city, and will run from 21st June to 1st July across five venues.

Highlights of Birmingham Indian Film Festival 2019’s LGBTQ+ curation include the the Midlands Premiere of Kattumaram (Catamaran) (2019, Dir. Swarnavel Eswaran, Tamil with English subtitles). Part of what appears to be a new Tamilian Queer cinema movement from South India, Kattumaram tells of patriarch Singaram and his orphaned niece Anan, fisher-folk survivors of the Tsunami. The diverse community includes a local bearded transvestite fisherman who beautiful Anan forms a bond of trust with. Anan teaches in the local school and has many men interested in her, but she instead secretly falls for a new female supply teacher. As Singaram finds out and tries to come to terms with this revelation, gossip about the young women’s relationship quickly spreads. Singaram is left facing the choice of either defending his beloved niece and her partner or giving sway to the demands of an angry community.

Assamese director Rima Das returns to the festival with the English Premiere of Bulbul Can Sing (2018, Hindi with English subtitles). The acclaimed filmmaker’s latest is a ground-breaking, coming-of-age tale that has swept up prestigious awards at Berlin, Dublin, Singapore and Mumbai film festivals. Three teenage best friends in rural Assam, northeast India, are forging their distinct personalities, but as the girls secretly meet boys and the boy realises he’s gay, they soon come face to face with outmoded cultural traditions that challenge their family and place in the community but, most importantly, their bonds as loyal friends. Rima Das made a global splash with Village Rockstars and Bulbul Can Sing continues to prove her humane, world-class talent.

Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition showing at The Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen on Saturday 22 June includes U USHACHA, a Marathi film by Rohan Kanwade. A young farm labourer finds herself drawn to a local female primary school teacher in ways she never thought possible and soon this passion grows.

Too Desi Too Queer at the Medicine Bakery Sunday 30 June, will showcase a dynamic range of recent LGBTQ+ shorts from South Asia and the UK, followed by a panel conversation exploring community empowerment and looking after individual well-being, with high profile speakers followed by an opportunity to network in a safe space.

For updates on this dynamic short film programme including Lesbian, Transgender, Gay and other sexuality films please check out the festival website.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Executive and Programming Director, London and Birmingham Indian Film Festivals, says: “We are delighted to have been trailblazers of South Asian LGBTQ+ film-making and stories over the last five years of BIFF, before LGBTQ+ rights became legal in India, and we will continue to celebrate these unique emerging voices. We are also mindful that these rights are still being fought for in most of Asia, so India is now a shining beacon of hope for a generation of LGBTQ+ and UK Asians have a role to play in this in platforming and celebrating our collective experience where others cannot. Film of course is an excellent medium for this.”

Birmingham Indian Film Festival runs from June 21 to July 1.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre will offer a little taste of life at the theatre this month when it hosts a free Discovery Day. The theatre will open its doors from 11am-5pm on Saturday 22 June for a free day of activities for all ages and interests from pop-up performances to backstage tours, crafts to competitions.

The REP’s Discovery Day will give visitors a chance to see how a theatre works on a Backstage Tour. From peeping through the wings on the main stage to finding out how scenery is built visitors will have the chance to see the workings of a producing theatre.

In addition to seeing behind the scenes there’ll be a whole range of exciting activities for children and families. Voice workshops will give people the chance to speak some iconic lines from The REP’s main stage (one of the biggest in Europe), and a fun drama workshop, Act Yourself, will explore making theatre using different languages.

A display of theatrical costumes from recent productions will demonstrate the skill of the theatre’s wardrobe department while kids can enjoy dressing-up themselves, have their face-painted or get a fake, gruesome wound. Taking the theatre’s Christmas production as inspiration there will be Peter Pan themed craft activities and also Peter Pan storytelling in the children’s library of the Library of Birmingham.

Open Theatre, a company that uses nonverbal physical theatre to collaborate with Young People with Learning Disabilities will be giving pop-up performances throughout the day including knockabout comedy with Juke and Lake’s Box of Tricks and the Nosey Parkas. The REP have had a longstanding partnership with Open Theatre for many years to support a more inclusive offer for young people with learning disabilities at the theatre and have worked together to ensure that the Discovery Day is a totally accessible event.

For those interested in working in theatre staff will be on hand throughout the day to talk about apprenticeships at The REP and careers in theatre. And there will be a number of one-off ticket offers and competitions with prizes to be won.

In the afternoon actor Ian McKellen takes to the stage with his one-man show, Ian McKellen On Stage.

The show celebrates Ian’s 80th birthday starting with Gandalf and ending with an invitation to act with him on stage. In between there will be anecdotes and acting. Limited tickets are available to purchase for the matinee performance at 2.30pm with all profits benefitting The REP’s £1 million REP FIRST campaign.

The REP’s Discovery Day is on Saturday 22 June.

Best known as the lead singer of the soul supergroup Imagination, the incomparable Leee John returns to Birmingham once again (on Thursday June 6) with a very special intimate live performance at the much love Jamhouse - with special guest support from singing sensation Shiraz.

With three UK Top 10 hits in the early 1980s during a remarkable career spanning over 3 decades and with record sales in excess of over 30 million albums Leee and the group released and successfully had so many amazing classic hits singles and platinum, gold and silver albums such as, ‘Body Talk’, ‘Just An Illusion’, ‘Flashback’, ‘Music and Lights’, ‘Changes’ and many more presenting the perfect Brit Soul/Jazz/Funk songbook and establishing their position as essential 80's crossover hit-makers and an influence for future generations in the music industry.

Even today the story of Imagination’s music continues in the form of a long list of samples, remixes and adaptations by major contemporary stars such as the The Pharcyde, Dimitri from Paris, Destiny’s Child (Complete with Beyoncé) sampled ‘Just An Illusion’ on their 1998 self-titled debut album produced by Wyclef Jean, with Leee himself featured on DJ Dero’s 2005 rendition of the song which was widely played in clubs. Even America superstar Maria Carey recorded “Illusion” on her top ten single “Get Your Number”. Furthermore we see Flashback being sampled by Boards of Canada, Music & Lights by Tiger & Woods. All Night Loving by 88 Keys featuring Kanye West – “a long cry from the early days when we literally had to sleep in a little Citroën car as we toured Europe – which we had to do before ‘blowing up’ in the UK”, he recalls.

“That’s what we, and many others, had to do back then.”

“The sad fact is, though”, he mused, “is that many still have to do it today in large.”

At a time (in the early 1980s) when many in the industry, in the UK, first really started to consider the genre (especially performed by Black acts) as ‘high risks’, together they (Imagination) were at the frontrunners in what was a fast-growing, thriving Brit Funk scene during those heady days alongside the likes of Junior Giscombe, David Grant and Lynx, Loos Ends, Light of the World, Courtney Pine, Jamiroquai, Hi Tension, Central Line and many more.

Today the singer/songwriter, actor and film maker is one of the hardest working men in the industry, touring internationally both as Leee John of Imagination and as Leee John in his ever-popular solo performances showing his continuous diversity across multi genres from the pop stream as well as his more classic presentation in the jazz world, none better reflecting this than with the release of his last critically acclaimed solo album ‘Feel My Soul’.

Having produced and directed 5 documentaries taking him as far away as Zambia , Tunisia, South Africa and France and is currently producing and directing ‘Flashback’ - a film of the history of British Black music for which more than 200 interviews are already in the can, including Beverley Knight, Eddy Grant, Billy Ocean , Maxie jazz of Faithless, Ali Campbell of UB40, Mike Lindup of Level 42, Trevor Nelson, Omar, Geno Washington, Maxie Priest, Sonique, Hamish Stuart of Average White Band, Ruby Turner and many, many more.

A patron of SOS Children’s Villages, a global charity supporting children without parental care and families at risk, he makes regular visits to Zambia, Tunisia, South Africa, Angola and Côte d'Ivoire where emergency work ensures that children and their families coping with conflict and disaster receive immediate lifesaving support, while their psycho-social and reintegration programmes provide the care and skills to rebuild lives.

“As there’s too often too much bureaucracy tied up in many charities, I do that – and ‘Voyage Youth’; who work on encouraging and enlightening underprivileged children in the UK – by myself”, he says.

“I work face-to-face with the people who are suffering”.

His long awaited new album ‘Retropia’ delivers a distinctive combination of soul, funk and jazz with a classic contemporary retro sound from that ‘back in the day’ feel, which creates a very special atmospheric sensitivity with mid-tempo grooves and that unmistakable Leee John vocal sound with those famous Imagination harmonies creating that familiar blend of melody which makes you remember each individual song, taking you on a magical musical adventure into the world of ‘Retropia’.

Supporting from its release the ‘Retropia’ album scores an incredible 2 x Number # 1 songs in the UK Soul Charts with ‘Do It Right Now’ and ‘Make Your Mind Up/Fantasia’ which follows on this summer with a third single release ‘Police & Thieves’ a personnel rendition and homage to the classic and unforgettable anthem originally recorded way back in 1977 by Junior Murvin/Lee Scratch Perry with its poignant message eerily, echoing across to today’s political and social landscape over 40 years on.

Make sure you make the most of Leee at the Jamhous (Thursday June 6) as straight after, he is off to shows in Marseilles, Geneva and Lebanon before finishing off ‘Flashback’ to go out on general release.

Birmingham Hippodrome and Leicester’s Curve theatres will join forces to co-produce Broadway musical ‘The Color Purple’, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.

The production, the first to be created outside of London in the UK, will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from 16-21 July 2019. The Color Purple will be directed by Tinuke Craig, winner of the 2014 Genesis Future Directors Award. Tinuke’s recent credits include random/generations, a double bill of plays by Debbie Tucker Green at Chichester Festival Theatre and I Call my Brothers by Jonas Hassen Khemiri at the Gate Theatre.

The announcement comes as both theatres celebrate significant milestones, with Curve turning 10 this year while the Hippodrome will mark its 120th birthday in 2019.

Speaking about the co-production, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: “The Color Purple celebrates remarkable women, telling incredible stories. From its Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, her courageous creation in heroine Celie to Oprah Winfrey – who had the vision to make the story into a smash-hit Broadway musical. And we are thrilled to introduce our equally astonishing director Tinuke Craig and welcome her to Curve.

“As we embark on our second decade as a theatre here in Leicester and our friends at Birmingham Hippodrome celebrate their 120th year, our co-production of this beautiful, moving musical feels like a fitting way for us to mark these celebratory years. “All of us at Curve are looking forward to working with Tinuke, Fiona Allan and the Hippodrome team very much.”

Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome said: “This is the very first time that Birmingham Hippodrome has actively co-produced a main stage musical, and we could not have better partners than Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster at Curve theatre, and director Tinuke Craig.

“The Color Purple is an epic and timeless story that will appeal to audiences young and old, as evidenced by the recent Tony Award-winning Broadway production. It is long overdue for a UK tour, and I’m proud that the Hippodrome play our part in bringing it to life here in Birmingham.”

This unforgettable story told over the course of 40 years follows courageous heroine Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her unique voice in the world.

With a profoundly evocative score drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this moving family chronicle set in racially divided southern America, celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.

The legendary Sir Lenny Henry PhD will embark on a brand new UK tour this autumn visiting Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in November.

Following the October publication of his memoir, Lenny will travel the length, breadth and width of the country with ‘An Evening With Lenny Henry - Who Am I, Again?’

In part one of the show, Sir Lenny will take the audience through a jam session of stories both funny and sad - triggered when writing his memoir - from growing up in the Black Country, puberty, school, friendship, family secrets and unashamed racism. With his mother's mantra of 'H'integration' echoing in his ears, Sir Lenny will recount setting out on his roller coaster ride of a career - but at every stage wondering: Am I good enough? Is this what they want?

In part two, Sir Lenny will be interviewed by friend, broadcaster and author Jon Canter, for further insights into his life and career, followed by questions from the audience. Come and enjoy these honest and tender stories, told with a glorious sense of humour and help Lenny figure out ‘Who Am I Again?'

Sir Lenny said: “I’m looking forward to travelling around and telling these stories. Writing the book was a huge feat and I’m very proud of it - I can’t wait to share more stories and fun about growing up in the Midlands, my early days in the clubs, pubs and discotheques and of course working on Tiswas, Three of a Kind and The Lenny Henry Show. The show promises to be an evening of memories, laughter and fun - I can’t wait to get started.”

He has been a comedian since the age of 16. He has risen from being a cult star on children's television to one of Britain's best-known and most celebrated comedians, as well as a writer, radio DJ, TV presenter, co-founder of Comic Relief, and an award-winning actor. He has a PhD in Media Arts, and in 2015 was awarded a knighthood for services to charity and drama.

His autobiography, also entitled ‘Who Am I, Again?’ is published by Faber & Faber on 3 October 2019.

Birmingham Hippodrome was ‘proud’ once again to be a part of the UK’s biggest two-day LGBTQ Pride festival that attracted a record number of 100,000 people lining the streets. This year the theatre brought some Latin flavour to the parade on Saturday 25 May with a themed float from Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s smash-hit musical On Your Feet!

The theatre’s colourful float blasted popular hits from the musical such as Rhythm is Gonna to Get You, Conga and Get On Your Feet, while energetic performances from dancers entertained crowds. The Broadway and West End production of On Your Feet! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria and charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom. The show hits the Hippodrome stage on Tuesday 3 September and runs until Saturday 7 September.

Laura Smith, Head of Communications commented “It was amazing to once again take part in Birmingham Pride and celebrate the event’s incredible atmosphere with thousands of people across our city. Last year we brought Lola’s Angels from Kinky Boots which was a real crowd-pleaser and this year was no different with the phenomenal dance moves and hits from On Your Feet! Pride takes place on our doorstep so it is great to support our neighbours and get our staff and shows in the party!”

Grammy-winning songstress Ella Mai will be extending her wildly successful, sold-out The Debut Tour. The tour is in support of Ella’s self-titled album, which was executive produced by 10 Summers’ label head, Mustard. The album features Ella’s latest single, “Shot Clock” as well as the record-breaking hits, “Boo’d Up” and “Trip.”

Chart-topping success aside, Ella Mai has also had an amazing reception on the awards circuit. In 2018, she took home the Soul Train Awards for Best New Female and Song of the Year (Boo'd Up) and, last month, “Boo’d Up” yielded her Best R&B Song at the 61st GRAMMY Awards. Ella also took home iHeart Radio awards for R&B Song Of The Year and R&B Artist of the Year, as well as Outstanding New Artist, Outstanding Song and the prestigious Outstanding Album at the NAACP Awards. The UK native who took to the stage at Coachella will be supporting Ariana Grande on the European leg of her Sweetener tour which kicks off in London on August 17 at the O2 Arena.

Award winning singer, musician, philanthropist and reggae icon Rita Marley, OD has released a career retrospective of her most well-known material.

The Best of Rita Marley ‘Lioness of Reggae’ has been released exclusively on limited edition vinyl.

Ziggy Marley says: “I felt this was a project that needed to be done, her musical legacy, message and vibe is unique to her and an important part of reggae’s history. This is a way for us to highlight and share her beautiful art”.

Alpharita Anderson displayed a deep love of music since childhood, singing to her family while working. This passion would ultimately lead her to form The Soulettes, which led to the eventual meeting of local Trench Town musicians Robert Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston – known as the Wailers. Soon after this fateful meeting, the talented young Rita became an integral part of the Wailers musical development, as well as a constant presence and influence in her husband, Bob Marley’s, life and legacy; including as a member of the I-Threes alongside Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt.

Simultaneously, Mrs. Marley forged an extraordinary career as a solo artist, known for upholding the artistic and cultural standards of reggae. Her music reflects the versatility and diversity of reggae through the smooth blends of Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Soca.

Today, no matter where in the world, the name Marley is synonymous with reggae music and the culture of Jamaica.

Rita Marley’s musical career has produced incredible albums including 'Who Feels It Knows It', 'Harambe', the 1992 GRAMMY-nominated album 'We Must Carry On' and 'Spectacle For Tribuffalos', as well as the classic reggae album 'Beginning', with the I-Threes.

Her sizzling 1982 hit ‘One Draw’ created waves around the world, was a bestseller with over two million copies sold and made history as the first reggae single to top the Billboard Dance Charts. . Mrs. Rita Marley, OD continues her legacy today with the Rita Marley Foundation – eradicating poverty and hunger, while empowering communities, in Africa, Jamaica and beyond.

The Best Of Rita Marley ' Lioness Of Reggae' is out now.

Tracklist:

1. Harambe 2. One Draw 3. A Jah Jah 4. That's The Way 5. Who Feels It Knows It 6. King Street 7. Thank You Jah 8. Good Morning Jah 9. I'm Still Waiting 10. Play Play

Tuff Gong Worldwide was founded in 2006, an off shoot of the original Tuff Gong label, which was founded in 1965 by Bob Marley with the vision of producing, distributing and promoting his music free from the constraints of corporate label politics. In a time, decades before, artist-owned record labels were commonplace, the legendary Bob Marley’s vision was characteristically well ahead of its time. Now, nearly a half-century later, his dream is being realized.

Today, Ziggy Marley is a completely independent artist – owning all of his master recordings since 2006 and all of his compositions with Isthi Music – his publishing company. Marley’s robust business goes far beyond music, into book publishing, film and television.

On UNESCO International Jazz Day (Tuesday 30 April), Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has announced that acclaimed musician and broadcaster Soweto Kinch is to join its Jazz Studies team as a Visiting Tutor.

The multi award-winning saxophonist and MC, who has strong connections with Birmingham, brings close to two decades of experience in international touring, recording, composition and radio work to the course, beginning with a public performance alongside two bands drawn from the school at the Conservatoire’s Eastside Jazz Club on Thursday 30 May.

The announcement of Soweto Kinch’s appointment is the latest in a series of academic and industry developments that are helping to establish Birmingham as a new centre of the UK’s contemporary jazz scene, as well as contributing to the genre globally. A considerable community of jazz musicians, academics and industry professionals are now embedded at the state-of-the-art facilities at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and within the leading Jazz Research Cluster at Birmingham School of Media to collaborate and innovate internationally.

Soweto said: "I’m honoured and excited to join the Jazz Studies team. Having had a loose connection with the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media for over 15 years, it's great to formalise what’s been a fruitful relationship, and to build on great musical partnership. I’m looking forward to joining some inspirational teaching staff as well as connecting the dots of arts and music across Birmingham’s communities with this vibrant faculty to help develop a music scene that occupies a vital place within the national jazz landscape.”

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Jazz Studies course, led by Jeremy Price, has a student community of around 80 students at any one time and has produced a number of notable alumni over the years including Percy Pursglove, Mark Hanslip, Alcyona Mick, Alex Woods, Tom Syson and Tim Thornton. The core department team consists of Andrew Bain, John O’Gallagher and Percy Pursglove with many international names in jazz also on the Visiting Tutor team including Jean Toussaint, Liam Noble, John Turville, Mark Hodgson and Clark Tracey.

Head of Jazz at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Jeremy Price, said: “The opportunities and resource of talent we have here is truly exceptional. When you couple that with the international jazz venue that is Eastside Jazz Club, the whole package becomes an indisputably world class proposition. On International Jazz Day it’s well worth noting that in this academic year alone we have sent students and staff to Siena Jazz, European Jazz Lab with Hamburg Hochschule and the Elb Jazz Festival, Thai International Jazz Conference in Bangkok, the jazz composition and arranging conference in Denver Colorado, Bogata Colombia exchange, Paris Conservatoire collaboration at Cheltenham Jazz Festival and a big band project with Milan Conservatorio.".

A significant number of international projects are being delivered by jazz researchers across Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Arts Design and Media including the development of a ground-breaking app exploring the experience of jazz festivals in online environments and the use of digital technologies in the planning and management of music festivals. The technology is being researched by Professor Nicholas Gebhardt and Dr Craig Hamilton and tested in partnership with Cheltenham Jazz Festival with the latest version in use at the 2019 edition which starts this week.

The annual music festival is also a project partner for an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) research project led by Dr Sarah Raine. This project will explore the experience of women jazz musicians active in the UK as a means to support Cheltenham Jazz Festival in their Keychange (PRS Foundation) pledge for a 50/50 gender balanced programme by 2022.

"As a major international music event, Cheltenham Jazz Festival has an important role to play in developing artistic and research-led relationships with key institutions. We have a strong focus on talent development and offering unique content to our audience, and our partnership with staff and students from schools across Birmingham City University, in particular Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Birmingham School of Media, enriches the programme and develops artists through an exchange project, jam sessions, free stage gigs, the festival app and research around career progression for women jazz artists. This can only come about due to the depth and breadth of jazz talent in the city of Birmingham," Emily Jones, Head of Programming at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, added.

The Birmingham City University Jazz Research Cluster is also home to several major international publications, has an excellent track record of being awarded external funding and provides committee members and regular participants for the Rhythm Changes conference, now the largest gathering of jazz scholars globally.

Parkside, the University’s important new arts, design and media facility is now home to an archive of written, printed and visual materials on jazz, blues and related music, from the 1920s to the present day. The substantial British Institute of Jazz Studies collection also acts as a satellite of the National Jazz Archive, together with other jazz-related materials and collections held at the Parkside Building.

The materials at the ADM (Arts, Design and Media) Archives are accessible to the public by email appointment (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and are managed by Dr Pedro Cravinho – who also leads the pilot research project in partnership with professional jazz photographer Brian Homer, ‘Everyday Jazz Life: a photographic project on contemporary jazz musician’s lives in Birmingham’.

Alongside Birmingham City University’s jazz studies, research and performance output, lies a flourishing jazz scene. Venues including Town Hall & Symphony Hall, The Spotted Dog, midlands art centre, The Lamp Tavern, 1000 Trades, Hare & Hounds, The Jam House, PizzaExpress Live and the CBSO Centre regularly host performances by local, national and international artists and bands, promoted by organisations such as Jazzlines, Birmingham Jazz, Fizzle, Leftfoot and TDE Promotions. Record labels, collectives and festivals including Stoney Lane, BRC, Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul, Surge Orchestra and Birmingham Jazz Festival continue to offer opportunities and employment for industry professionals, including in retail, production, programming, composition, touring and marketing.

Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every 30 April to celebrate the art of jazz, highlighting its important role in encouraging dialogue, combating discrimination and promoting human dignity.

An RSPCA film which tells the tale of an abandoned Christmas puppy who is thrown out with the rubbish has been named a winner at this year’s Charity Film Awards.

Stars, the tear-jerking short video, shows Woody the Christmas pup being abandoned before he is rescued and taken in for care by the RSPCA.

The touching film was made by the charity’s small in-house team to highlight the Kindness at Christmas campaign. It was filmed at the charity’s RSPCA Newbrook Animal Centre in Birmingham.

The soundtrack features an acoustic cover of the Simply Red song Stars, written by Mick Hucknall, and was performed by up and coming singer Lucy Ellie, who works for the RSPCA.

Films were split in to categories depending on the charity’s annual turnover and the RSPCA won the top award in the Charities with a £50,000,000+ category.

Broadcast manager at the RSPCA, Alan Laxton, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Charity Film Award and to have such lovely comments from the judges.

“When we made Stars we wanted to reflect the incredible work that staff and volunteers across the RSPCA do all for animals in need 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The story tells the tale of a toy dog - but what happens to him is very real. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.

“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do - from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.

“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog - with a twist at the end - this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real. We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”

Director of Communications at the RSPCA, Chris Wainwright said: “To have won this award in this category against some very tough competition is fantastic. We are so pleased people were moved by the story - which is so typical of an animal that comes in to RSPCA care - and that hope everyone that watched it was touched by it’s message.”

The Charity Film Awards - the third event of its kind - took place in London on Friday night (26 April) and was hosted by actress Sally Phillips. The RSPCA’s award was presented by Apprentice contestant Daniel Elahi.

Simon Burton, founder of the Charity Film Awards. “The quality of the films in this year’s Charity Film Awards was better than ever. Inspirational, heartbreaking and heartwarming films that make a real difference to incredible causes.”

Following a family statement it was confirmed the influential filmmaker John Singleton - known for films including Boyz N The Hood and his remake of detective movie Shaft - has died after been in intensive care following a stroke.

His death came after the Oscar-nominated director's family announced they had taken the "agonising decision" to remove him from life-support.

Singleton, the first African-American filmmaker to be nominated for the best director Oscar with his debut feature Boyz N The Hood, in 1992, "passed away peacefully" shortly after being removed from life support in Los Angeles.

Born in LA, Singleton was considered a trailblazer for African-American directors in the 1990s. Fresh out of college, he also became the youngest ever director to be nominated for the accolade. He also received a second nomination for best original screenplay for the film.

In their statements, the family also took the opportunity to raise awareness around hypertension, or high blood pressure, in the African-American community.

They said the director had "silently struggled" with the condition, and urged people to familiarise themselves with symptoms.

"We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpour of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," they said.

"We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received." Fellow ground-breaking film director, Spike Lee, posted a touching Instagram tribute to the late director, in which he recalled meeting him while he was a film student.

"With His Passion, His Heart, The Way He Talked About His Love For Cinema And Black Folks I Could See John Would Make It Happen, And He Did," the post said.

John was 51.

eSpares, the online parts seller that helps customers fix their appliances and be the heroes of their homes, is partnering with Free Radio Birmingham for Superhero Day.

The annual event, which is taking place on 10^th May this year, raises money for Free Radio’s charity, Cash for Kids. Free Radio Cash for Kids is a grant giving charity, supporting disadvantaged children across the West Midlands, including those who are living in poverty, subject to neglect or abuse or living with an illness or disability.

Last year, eSpares raised over £1,600 in support of this very worthy cause. However, this year, the company has taken its support to heroic levels by sponsoring Superhero Day across the entire Midlands region.

Alongside supporting the event, eSpares will be carrying out a series of special visits to the charities that will benefit from money raised during the campaign.

Cash for Kids received applications for funding from over 60 projects across the area, and are hoping to help as many of them as they can. Applications included:

• Urban DevotionBirmingham – a project that organises activities for local children and families in some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the cit
• Evesham Adventure Playground– provides food and activities to disadvantaged families during the summer holidays
• Worcester Snoezelen– a multi-sensory leisure therapy centre for children of all ages with disabilities
• Murray Hill Community Trust –provides therapeutic support for children who have experienced domestic violence, abuse, self-harm, loss, separation, emotional wellbeing issues or those in the care system
• Coventry Boys & Girls Club– works with children that reside in the poorest, most disadvantaged and hardest to reach communities in Coventry

Tom Reeves, Charity Fundraising Executive at Free Radio Cash for Kids, said: "We are delighted to have eSpares supporting Superhero Day 2019! They're a successful local business who truly want to give something back to the community. We are lucky to find a company that are so supportive of what we do."

Ad Casey, Head of Brand at eSpares, added: “Our values focus very much around being the hero of your home by maintaining and repairing your household appliances, with our support, rather than throwing them away. Encouraging a #fixfirst mentality saves our customers money and ultimately saves the environment by reducing the amount of appliances sent to landfill.

“Free Radio’s Superhero Day shows that every one of us can be heroes in our own way. We’re passionate about doing our part to raise the profile of Cash for Kids and the wonderful work they do to change the lives of disadvantaged children in our area. We’re really excited to be lending this event more support than ever before and to be helping raise funds for incredibly worthy community causes.” 

The eSpares website features more than 1 million parts from over 1,700 brands, alongside a handy Advice Centre, full of how-to guides that take you through your repair step-by-step.