CARIBBEAN
INFLUENCE
ON
BRITISH JAZZ
1930 to Windrush and Beyond
JUN 22nd - Oct 26th
A New Exhibition by
The Jazz Centre UK and
The Windrush and Jazz Appreciation Society
The Jazz Centre UK is proud to unveil a new display highlighting the contributions of the Caribbean community to British jazz. Opening on June 22nd to mark Windrush Day, the display features items from the 'Windrush and Jazz Appreciation Society' and Elaine Delmar alongside cultural artefacts from our own collection, including never seen before photos of the Windrush and revered UK Caribbean musicians.
This special display will run until October 26th, culminating with events during Black History Month. Throughout the period, we will host a range of supporting activities including an opening event, talks, film presentations, and live performances - all within the context of our wider presentation on the history of jazz within our Cultural Centre.
The general exhibition is admission free. Events with admission prices are specified in the 'upcoming events' listing below.
Visit The Jazz Centre UK to explore this fascinating addition to our exhibition and celebrate the enduring cultural impact of jazz on British society.
When is the exhibition open?
June 22nd - October 26th
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - 11 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday - 11 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday - 11 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday -
The exhibition display is closed for our live music programme. But, there are related events on Saturdays including a performance by Elaine Delmar Saturday 30th August
Sunday - 11 AM - 4:30 PM
See related events to this exhibition at the bottom of the page. We will be adding more events. Subscribe to our mailing list or check back on this page for updates on upcoming events and news.
What to Expect
Come and see a captivating new display to our jazz heritage exhibition at The Jazz Centre UK. This showcase will feature a remarkable collection of rare cuttings, programmes, photographs, books, CDs, and vinyl records, expertly curated from both private collections and The Jazz Centre UK's own archives. We are particularly delighted to collaborate with The Windrush and Jazz Appreciation Society and renowned jazz artist Elaine Delmar, who have generously contributed their private collections to ensure this exhibition is truly special.
Set against the history of the Caribbean UK relationship, including the Windrush, our exhibition pays tribute to influential Caribbean and UK Caribbean jazz legends. Visitors will have the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of greats such as Jiver Hutchinson, Cyril Blake, Frederick Grant, Kenrick 'Snakehips' Johnson, Leslie Thompson, Mona Baptiste, Gary Crosby OBE, Courtney Pine, Denys Baptiste, Gail Thompson, and many others.
Among the treasures on display are never-before-seen photographs of Kingston during the Windrush, as well as the remarkable musicians who played from the 1930s revealing the foundational roots of UK Caribbean jazz and highlight the enduring influence of this rich musical heritage through to today.
This exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity for those unfamiliar with jazz to discover the profound impact these musicians have had - and continue to have - on British society. For jazz enthusiasts, it promises the joy of seeing these important artists celebrated and recognized.
In addition to the display, we will have many supporting events including an opening event on June 22nd, workshop hosted by Yolanda Charles MBE and a live performance from Elaine Delmar in August.