The annual ‘Celebration Of Life Concert’, by the Metropolitan Black Police Association, is bringing together some of the finest names in contemporary music for a night of fantastic entertainment and raising awareness to promote the organisation’s community based anti-violence initiative, Revival.
Headlining this year’s ‘Celebration of Life Concert’ is the legendary UK reggae group Aswad, featuring the Aswad Horns. After two decades on the music scene and fifteen albums under their belts, ‘The Lions of Ladbroke Grove’ remain one of the country’s best loved reggae bands, mixing musical genres, from dub and reggae, to lover’s rock and urban roots. Famous internationally for their 1988 smash hit ‘Don’t Turn Around’, an instant #1 in the UK charts and still a favourite on the dancefloors of today. From their 1976 debut through to their latest release, ‘City Rock’, Aswad have been tireless musical warriors on reggae’s front-line.
Saxophonist Courtney Pine’s innovative style fuses jazz and groove. He will be joined by lyrical guitarist Cameron Pierre for a special duo set. An institution on the country’s jazz scene, Courtney is a bandleader, composer, arranger, educator and performer on a number of different instruments.
The sensational Lifeforce Band are a key part of the ‘Celebration of Life Concert’ and this year they will be joined by guest vocalists Guvna B, Vula Malinga and Kersha Bailey who are all hotly tipped for 2010. Lifeforce have been a fixture on the London live scene for many years, their infectious energy and engaging live performances winning them fans from all over. The band is pooled from a selection of top London players, based around the rock-solid Phillip Harper, who is the group’s Artistic Director, band leader and percussionist, and Joseph Roberts, Musical Director and bassist.
The evening will be hosted by the inimitable Curtis Walker and signed throughout in British Sign Language by Hetty May Bailey.
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
Friday 22nd October 2010, 7.30pm
Tickets: £20-£10 + Booking fee
Call: 0844 847 9910 / www.southbankcentre.co.uk
