Michael Mwenso’s new series kicks off with a night of conversation and music with writer, musician and poet Ammar Kalia and UK’s leading trumpet player Jay Phelps – supported by DJ Jake Milliner.

In this joyful and immersive gathering as part of the Soul Assembly series, musician and educator Michael Mwenso will guide attendees through a communal exploration of recorded music with a focus on the indelible offerings of Miles Davis. Fresh from his recently curated Miles Davis Kind of Blue performances, Jay Phelps brings together an ensemble to perform highlights from this show alongside conversation between Michael Mwenso himself and musician, poet and writer, Ammar Kalia.

Ammar Kalia is a writer and musician based in London. He is the Guardian’s Global Music Critic and writes for the Observer, Downbeat, Crack, RA, Jazzwise and others. His poetry collection and accompanying album, Kintsugi: Jazz Poems for Musicians Alive and Dead, was released in 2020, he was featured in the 2022 essay collection Haramacy and his debut novel, A Person Is A Prayer, is out now.

Jay Phelps is the UK’s foremost jazz trumpet star and has performed with some of the world’s top artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Shabaka Hutchings, Amy Winehouse and Wizkid. With an instantly recognisable warm and projecting trumpet tone, Phelps is a household name on the international Jazz scene with a career spanning over 25 years. Most recently he has been curating a sold-out show which highlight and celebrate Miles’ Kind of Blue; the best-selling jazz album of all time.

This event is intended for audiences aged 16+.

This event will last approximately 3 hours, including an interval.

About Michael Mwenso

Michael Mwenso is a vocalist bandleader, Emmy Award-winning creator, curator and creative artist. Mwenso’s unique lifelong geographical and spiritual journey has led him to possess a perspective unlike any other in this time.

His childhood was rooted in West Africa. As a young child in London he faced a period of personal uncertainty, where he found solace in Black music and where the greatest artists of all time, like James Brown, became his mentors and guiding stars. Years later he started his Curatorial vision by creating the now legendary “late show” at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club which he developed, built and galvanized the Jazz community in London.

By his late twenties, Mwenso was brought to New York City by famed Music icon, Wynton Marsalis, to be part of his programming team at Jazz at Lincoln Center and helm Dizzy’s Club. The influence of his arrival profoundly impacted the music and arts scene of NYC. He then built a community across the United States through his musical vehicle (Band) of love and expression, Mwenso and the Shakes. He co-founded Electric Root with Jono Gasparro in 2020 which partnered with institutions to decolonize music curriculums, reshape programming and create artist-led, anti-racist workshops.

In 2021, Michael pivoted to become a much-sought collaborator and cultural leader, creating programming, curating festivals, doing workshops and residencies at leading arts institutions, always moving the conversation forward. In 2022, he won an EMMY for the All Arts television documentary special Michael Mwenso Honors George Floyd.

He now continues to spend his energy on spreading the message of music to uplift, heal and empower individuals and communities across the world. Michael’s newest album will be released this year.