Waaju believe in highlighting the world's connection through less familiar creative collaboration. Encapsulating influence from a number of cultures across Africa, South America & beyond, the band delves deeper to leave behind preconception & promote forces largely unexplored in a Western context. Citing the rich history of Malian music as centrepiece, Waaju presents the vision of drummer & percussionist Ben Brown which draws from the exceptional spirit of the likes of Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Tinariwen & Baba Sissoko.

Waaju is:

Sam Rapley - tenor saxophone
Tal Janes - guitar
Joe Downard - bass
Ernesto Marichales - percussion
Ben Brown - drums & percussion

'Listening to tracks by Renny Jackson and loving them. Great lyrics.' 
George Monbiot, Guardian columnist

www.rennyjackson.com

NEW SINGLE "HOW DID I GET BACK HERE AGAIN" OUT NOW 

Kate has just released (10 January 2020) her long awaited NEW CONTEMPORARY JAZZ SINGLE "HOW DID I GET BACK HERE AGAIN"
with Howl from the Embers. It is currently getting airplay on JAZZ LONDON RADIO, JAZZ UK & Riverside Radio. ​It is AVAILABLE on all major platforms and you can BUY directly here!

"Pink Martini, Tom Waits, Amy Winehouse and Kate Bush walk into a ... festival”

Kate Thomas is a London based singer-songwriter with influences from jazz, Latin and world music. Kate travelled the world for many years as a singer and has performed in multiple genres including jazz, Latin, Gypsy music and blues; all of which you can now hear in Kate's music. 

Kate performs regularly at the well established jazz, roots and world music venues in and around London and is currently performing her show "A Journey Through Bohemia". The show is a fusion of jazz, Latin, gypsy music and alternative pop. Expect a variety of languages weave in and out to take you on a heart moving but also a foot tapping eclectic journey.

"One of the most entertaining and engaging shows I have ever experienced ... Kate’s phenomenal charisma and encouragement of audience interaction created an electric atmosphere ... an exceptionally talented performer; the audience singing along, dancing and rewarding every song with rapturous appreciation ... such a superb talent ... She is certainly one to watch and an artist we hope to work with again in the near future.” (Arthouse Music)

"Delightful!" (BTL Jazz)

"Like Edith Piaf and Judy Garland all wrapped up in one”(Helen Lederer)

"Always puts on a great show! Performing a range of genres from jazz, Latin, gypsy music and pop. Always entertaining, you won't be disappointed!” 
(FLAT50 Arts Management)

Notable live shows include: Acklam Village (Supporting the London Gypsy Orchestra), Grow, Arthouse Music, The Bulls Head Jazz Club, Green Note, BTL Jazz, BBC Radio London’s - Jumoke Fashola’s Jazz Verse Jukebox at Hoxton Hall (Headliner for their annual “Ones to Watch” - 2018), Fishery Wharf Jazz Festival, Toulouse Lautrec, Spice of Life, Water Rats, El Garito, Nightjar, The Luna Lounge, The Boisdale (Finalist in the Battle of the Bands 2014), Ronnie Scott’s, Half Moon Putney, Pizza Express, The RARE Jazz Festival and The Brentwood Festival on the bill with UB40. 

Upcoming Shows: 
2 April, 2020 Kate Thomas "A Journey Through Jazz" @ the Green Note
23 July, 2020 Kate Thomas (Trio) @ The Nightjar

Last year (2019) Kate was supported by Music Gateway to attend the MIDEM music conference in Cannes and excitingly MIDEM will be supporting Kate to return this year (2020). Back in 2017 Kate was supported by PRS for Music and released her debut EP "The Lion's Raw" and this is what they have been saying about it:

"Sultry dame" (All About Jazz)

"Where the energy of rock blends in with the intimacy of folk" (A&R Factory)

"Will make you want to watch Chocolat again." (Frequency 21)

"Kate Thomas you certainly have a style of your own" (Mel Watson, Phoenix FM)

World Without Belief LP available on Spotify/Apple Music/Bandcamp, etc.
Singer/songwriter, guitar, bass, pedal steel, mandolin, banjo & lap steel.

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