Award-winning composer-saxophonist, Asha Parkinson is delighted to share her debut album Onwards – a realization of four years’ work as founder and band leader of the Kalpadruma Collective.
The dynamic twelve-piece force of saxophone, flute, bass clarinet, trumpet, string quartet, guitar, piano, bass & drums is complimented by appearances from guest artists, including critically acclaimed flautist, Gareth Lockrane, qanun player, Konstantinos Glunos and Catalan singer, ELSAS. To date, the group has at many prestigious venues across the country, including hosting a monthly residency at the Ritzy in Brixton, London Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, the Union Chapel, and the Jazz Seven Leeds series.
Beyond the fragmented nature of cultural appropriation, this music blends various sonorities, from flamenco to Arabic Maqam to Olivier Messiaen, offering an authentic meeting point between genres. Onwards is a six-track journey of global narratives including “the spirit of duende”, Omar Khayyam’s mystical “Rubaiyat”, heartless industrial growth and self-discovery.
“Without supporting unique culture and identity, we suppress anything that is seen as different. Kalpadruma was founded to embrace all that I find unfamiliar. Through working with Syrian, Indian, Greek musicians, I’m constantly learning and absorbing more vitality.”
Expressing social conscience through creative projects was reflected early in Asha’s compositional career when, at the age of 17, she created Voices Beyond Divisions, a cross-cultural peace project, involving a children’s choir bringing together religious minorities. As a result of this, she was one of 20 young people to be presented with the international Diana Legacy Award at St James’ Palace in May 2017. In 2021, Jazz South commissioned Asha to write Encounters, a powerful suite bringing together the collective, members of the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and the feminist poetry of Maram al-Masri.
| Ticket | Event time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
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Student
Must present valid student card |
19:00 - 22:45 | £5.00 |
| General admission | 19:00 - 22:45 | £12.00 |
Address
6, Moor Street, W1D 5NA
Area
Soho
Nearest Station
Leicester Square (Tube)
The Spice of Life is a Soho landmark, historic music venue and the perfect meeting place in the heart of London's West End. Great for a pre-theatre drink or an after work catch up with mates. Go along to the Open Mic Night every Monday to show off your talents and who knows, you could end up on a West…
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