Lagos to London
Join musicians across generations for a celebration of Nigerian music and culture and how they shaped UK jazz, with performances and workshops.
Schedule
1.45pm – 2.15pm: Ọlátúndé Ensemble
Opening the Lagos to London stage is a new line-up led by Richard Ọlátúndé Baker, bringing together three leading talking drummers and vocals to explore the rhythms and melodies of Nigerian music. Richard Ọlátúndé Baker is a British-Nigerian musician who has worked with Mulatu Astatke, Tony Allen and Seun Kuti amongst many others.
2.30pm – 3pm: Camilla George presents Isang
Camilla George is a visionary saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator. Her music is a blend of Afrofuturism, hip-hop and jazz, with a powerful connection to her Nigerian identity, lineage and heritage, reflecting African history, culture and slavery. For this new commission, she has re-imagined her music for a jazz big band of amateur musicians who have come together to rehearse over the course of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
3pm – 4pm: Dare Balogun DJ Set
Dare Balogun is a DJ, NTS Radio resident, and cultural strategist whose work celebrates the legacy and global reach of African music. His project ‘Roots to Rhythm’ traces the journey of these sounds from their origins in West and Central Africa to their influence on music scenes around the world.
4pm – 5pm: Orii Community
Through weekly jam sessions Orii has become a space for spiritual connection, musical expression and celebration of diasporic creativity. At this event, Orii celebrates the influence of Nigerian music and culture on UK jazz, exploring heritage, legacy and the sonic pioneers who continue to shape the sound of now.
5pm – 6pm: Dare Balogun DJ set
6pm – 7pm: Bukky Leo and Black Egypt
After playing saxophone with Toy Allen and Fela Kuti when the seeds of Afrobeat were being sown, in the 1990s Bukky embarked on a pilgrimage to Egypt where he laid down the foundations for the formation of Black Egypt, which has since become one of the most important Afrobeat groups outside of Nigeria.
Workshops
Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall
3pm – 4pm: Youth Talking Drum Workshop
Richard Ọlátúndé Baker is an accomplished British-Nigerian multi percussionist/teacher/ instrument maker. He is known for his creative use of traditional African instruments, particularly the Yoruba talking drum, African congas and a creative mixture of percussion instruments/electronics. This free workshop is suitable for 7 – 15 year-olds. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
5pm – 6pm: Adult Talking Drum Workshop
This free workshop is suitable for anyone aged 16+. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.