Celebrate the legendary voice of Umm Kulthum in a special tribute evening of Tarab in our spectacular setting

Join us for a special evening as Cambridge Takht returns to Grand Junction, with guest artist and rising qanun player Hend Al Zouari, to perform timeless Tarab classics by the late Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, 51 years after her passing.

The evening celebrates the Star of the Orient’s unparalleled voice and raw emotional power that mesmerised audiences for years.

Lineup:
Narjes Abouda – Voice
Mohamed Emad – Violin/Band leader
Mohamed Nour – Oud
Aida Moreno – Double bass
Hanna Hawa – Darbouka (Tabla)
Omar Madani – Riq
+ Special Guest: Hend Zouari – Qanun

The evening is presented by Arts Canteen and Grand Junction, as part of the Right Here, Right Now programme, supported by the DCMS and Arts Council England (Supporting Grassroots Music fund).

ARTISTS

Cambridge Takht

Established in 2021, Cambridge Takht & The Pomegranates is a vibrant and dynamic Arabic music ensemble based in Cambridge. Comprised of talented musicians from diverse backgrounds and countries, the group brings together a unique blend of traditional and folkloric Arabic music with contemporary influences. Beyond their musical endeavours, the ensemble is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange in Cambridge. They actively participate in workshops, and collaborations with other local musicians, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arabic music and culture. Line up to be announced soon.

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Arts Canteen

Established in 2010, we curate and produce events, exhibitions and festivals that support emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Arab world and surrounding regions, bringing their work to new audiences in the UK and beyond. We now have an international reputation for excellence and innovation in our work.

+ special guests Tony Kofi, David Kayode & Songs for Ukraine

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane with a special evening honouring the music and legacy of revolutionary jazz power couple John and Alice Coltrane in our spectacular neo-Gothic setting

Alina Bzhezhinska – described by the Evening Standard as “a modern-day supremo among the best contemporary harpists” – and her award-winning HipHarpCollective, featuring two-time BBC Jazz Awards winner Tony Kofi, pianist Sam Leak, percussionist Joel Prime, bassist Kobe Ngugi, and drummer Matt Holmes, the concert pays tribute to two of jazz’s most transformative artists.

They will be joined on the night by special guests Songs for Ukraine Chorus, paying homage to Alice Coltrane’s time leading the Sai Anantam Ashram Choir, and supported by rising saxophonist David Kayode, who will perform a set of works inspired by and dedicated to the Coltranes with his band.

Part of BBE Music’s 30th Anniversary celebrations at Grand Junction.

The evening is presented by BBE Music and Grand Junction, as part of the Right Here, Right Now programme, supported by the DCMS and Arts Council England (Supporting Grassroots Music fund).

ARTISTS

Alina Bzhezhinska – Harp

“…Bzhezhinska shares with Alice Coltrane a mastery of the jazz harp.” ★★★★★ – The Times
Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a world-leading harpist and bandleader dedicated to expanding the harp within contemporary jazz and improvised music. She has recorded seven jazz albums and developed a distinctive artistic voice at the intersection of jazz, improvisation and contemporary sound. Her long-standing connection to the musical legacy of Alice Coltrane began in 2017, when she performed in a landmark Barbican tribute concert to Alice and John Coltrane alongside Pharoah Sanders, Tony Kofi and Denis Baptiste. Since then, she has continued to explore and present their work through performances, collaborations, masterclasses and lectures internationally. She is the creator of HipHarpCollective, winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Ensemble 2024 and has appeared at major international festivals and venues including WOMADelaide, EFG London Jazz Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Described by the Evening Standard as “a modern-day supremo among the best contemporary harpists,” she has also performed live for BBC Radio 3, German National Radio and Worldwide FM.

Hip Harp Collective:

Tony Kofi – Saxophone

A multi award winning saxophonists, a recording career that has seen collaborations with Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, Cymande, Abdullah Ibrahim and
Ornette Coleman to name a few. Kofi’s solo work, in particular his 2020 album ‘A Different Kind Of Soul’ and his recently reissued ‘Plays Monk’ cement his reputation as one of the UK’s most accomplished saxophonists.

Sam Leak – Piano

An award-winning London pianist described by JazzFM’s Helen Mayhew as ‘one of the brightest stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser.’ His critically acclaimed recordings have drawn praise from the Guardian, BBC Music Magazine, MOJO and The Wire, with Jamie Cullum hailing his band as ‘the heavyweights of the British jazz scene.’ Leak brings depth, fire and supreme musicianship to a night that demands nothing less

Joel Prime – Percussion

An Australian born drummer & percussionist who has become an important addition to British Jazz. Winner of ‘Australia’s Best Up & Coming Drummer’ award in 2011, his versatility across congas, the drum kit and all manner of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion has created the opportunity for Joel to perform with Mr Little’s Noisy Band, Felix Riebl and The Copasetic Foundation among others.

Kobe Ngugi – Bass

A highly regarded, London-based double bassist and electric bassist who graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He is a rising fixture in the contemporary UK jazz scene, collaborating with esteemed artists and frequently performing at top London venues like Ronnie Scott’s, the Vortex Jazz Club, and Woolwich Works.

Matthew Holmes – Drums

a freelance drummer, composer and educator based in Birmingham and has become a a notable figure amongst the UK jazz scene having performed extensively around the country at venues such as; The Barbican Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Soho, The Southbank Centre and Cafe OTO, as well as on ITV, Channel 5,BBC Radio 6, Jazz FM, Scala Radio and Worldwide FM.

David Kayode

A London-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader whose music sits at the meeting point of Yoruba tradition, Afro-diasporic rhythm and contemporary jazz. Raised between community spaces, jam sessions and cultural hubs across the city, he developed a sound that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking, built on groove, improvisation and storytelling. In recent years, David has stepped back from constant gigging to focus on composing and recording his debut project, Ade Kayode, arriving in 2026. The album explores ancestry, resilience and collective healing through rhythm, improvisation and large-ensemble writing, inviting listeners into music that moves the body as much as it speaks to spirit and memory. The evening will see him lead his own band in a set of works inspired by and dedicated to the Coltranes.

Songs For Ukraine Chorus

An independent ensemble bringing together singers from across the Ukrainian community, many displaced by the ongoing war, alongside friends of Ukraine in the UK. Under the guidance of musical director and conductor Bohdan Parashchak, the choir explores predominantly Ukrainian repertoire, giving voice to Ukrainian composers whose work has too often been overshadowed by historical circumstance and underrepresented on the world stage. Since its founding in 2023 by the Royal Ballet and Opera as part of its Creative Exchange programme, the Chorus has performed at some of the UK’s most prestigious stages, including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Opera House and the London Palladium, and featured in the King’s Christmas Day Broadcast at Westminster Abbey in 2025.

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BBE Music

An independent record label releasing disco, soul, funk, hip hop, jazz and house on vinyl, we’re excited to be part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.

Discover the next generation of Arab artists redefining the region’s sound through a fusion of contemporary genres and live Arabic instrumentation

Isadora is a pharaoh brought to life – here to make compassion exciting and altruism cool. Her connection to her Egyptian roots has touched the hearts of millions who can relate to her story through music.

Vincent J is the magical yet down to earth prince striving for vtopia. Through vulnerability and catharsis, he connects with the people that he’ll lead to vtopia with him.

Layal is an Egyptian artist based in London. Her music is a form of self-expression before anything else. Rooted in the sounds of Cairo and shaped by a wide range of global influences, her work resists easy categorisation, blending instruments and genres in a way that feels instinctive rather than strategic.

Awadh is a Yemeni-British rapper who lives by example. His persistence in his craft is driven by passion, joy, and a deep desire of mastery.

Rhea Kattan is a Lebanese singer, songwriter, and drummer. She’s the odd one out. She lives in a realistic world with the purpose to challenge the boundaries of what sets us apart as people.

The evening is presented by SWANA records and Marsm UK in collaboration with Grand Junction, as part of the Right Here, Right Now programme, supported by the DCMS and Arts Council England (Supporting Grassroots Music fund).

ARTISTS

Isadora

A pharaoh brought to life – here to make compassion exciting and altruism cool. Her connection to her Egyptian roots has touched the hearts of millions who can relate to her story through music.

Vincent J

Vincent J is the magical yet down to earth prince striving for vtopia. Through vulnerability and catharsis, he connects with the people that he’ll lead to vtopia with him.

Layal

An Egyptian artist based in London. Her music is a form of self-expression before anything else. Rooted in the sounds of Cairo and shaped by a wide range of global influences, her work resists easy categorisation, blending instruments and genres in a way that feels instinctive rather than strategic.

Awadh

A Yemeni-British rapper who lives by example. His persistence in his craft is driven by passion, joy, and a deep desire of mastery.

Rhea Kattan

A Lebanese singer, songwriter, and drummer. She’s the odd one out. She lives in a realistic world with the purpose to challenge the boundaries of what sets us apart as people.

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SWANA Records

A record label dedicated to connecting the SWANA (Southwest Asia & NorthAfrica) region with the global music industry by championing the next generation of artists across the diaspora.

SWANA Records combines artist development, creative marketing, strategic partnerships and live performance opportunities to help SWANA artists build sustainable international careers while reshaping how Arabic music is experienced worldwide.

Marsm UK

Marsm is a London-based event producer amplifying the vibrant musical and arts culture of the Arabic-speaking world.

Since 2015, Marsm has established an expansive events network across the UK, Europe and beyond, uniting artists, venues, festivals and cultural organisations. From hosting some of the biggest names in the region to emboldening burgeoning underground music scenes, Marsm celebrates the diverse music cultures of the region.

+ Support from Syrian singer Rama Alcoutlabi

Join the internationally acclaimed traditional Arabic Takht ensemble for an evening of Egyptian music from the 19th and 20th centuries in a special concert for the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026

Described as “revolutionary” by Songlines for their debut album The Wax Cylinder Recordings, Oxford Maqam are renowned innovators of classical Arabic music, having sold out venues both at home and internationally. This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience live renditions of music steeped in Arab heritage in a spectacularly ornate setting.

The evening is presented by Arts Canteen and Grand Junction for EFG London Jazz Festival 2026

Part of Grand Junction’s Right Here, Right Now programme, supported by the DCMS and Arts Council England (Supporting Grassroots Music fund).

ARTISTS

Oxford Maqam

Pioneering Oxford Maqam comprises vocalists and musicians who are renowned experts in their field ofE gyptian music of the ​19th and 20th centuries.

They first met fifteen years ago, and now regularly sell out venues both at home and internationally, taking their album tour from London’s Kings Place to the Kuwait Opera House. Their self-produced album, described as ‘revolutionary’ by Songlines magazine, used recording techniques from over one hundred years ago. Offering fresh and entertaining recreations, they have captured the imaginations of UK, Europe and Middle Eastern audiences alike.

Whilst the Arabic music scene is filled with innovators of contemporary popular music, Oxford Maqam are innovators of classical Arabic music. Their revival of historical works remains an original process, and their concerts ​offer a rare opportunity to experience live renditions of a music steeped in Arab heritage.

Rama Alcoutlabi (Support Act)

A Syrian vocalist, researcher, and music educator based in London. Trained in Middle Eastern classical singing at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus, her work explores sacred, devotional, and traditional vocal practices from the Levant, Iran, and neighbouring regions.

Working across performance, research, and socially engaged arts, Rama is interested in the relationship between music, spirituality, identity, and freedom. Her artistic and academic practice investigates how voice functions not only as a musical medium, but also as a site through which communities negotiate memory, belief, belonging, and transformation.

After completing a degree in Environmental Engineering, Rama was awarded a scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in London in humanitarian research and methodologies. She is currently undertaking graduate studies at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, where her research focuses on religious music and devotional traditions of the Levant and Iran, engaging theological and philosophical frameworks to examine questions of selfhood, meaning, and human freedom. She intends to continue this work through doctoral research at University of Cambridge.

Rama is also the founder of Music for Peace Building, an initiative that began inside a refugee camp and explores the role of music in education, wellbeing, and community resilience among displaced populations. Alongside her research, she collaborates with cultural institutions, theatres, charities, and international partners, creating performances and projects that bridge artistic practice, scholarship, and social engagement.

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Arts Canteen

Established in 2010, we curate and produce events, exhibitions and festivals that support emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Arab world and surrounding regions, bringing their work to new audiences in the UK and beyond. We now have an international reputation for excellence and innovation in our work.