*
banner

Catch the Ladies of Midnight Blue in the heart of London

A series of free open air concerts in King's Cross next month will feature the fantastic percussion and brass sounds of the remarkable Ladies of Midnight Blue duo.

Midnight
  The duo have notched up numerous high profile performances over the past few years

There is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy open-air music in the heart of London next month with the series of free open-air Cubitt Session performances at London's King's Cross.

The annual open-air music festival is held in Coal Drops Yard, and brings together the world's finest folk, jazz, classical and experimental musicians to present a diverse and exciting mix of live music over 12 days — starting on Wednesday 11th August.

Open air

The open-access festival also makes it possible for everyone to share performances of the highest quality — with a line-up that features the prize-winning klezmer and Balkan band, She'Koyokh; the truthful, soul-bearing love songs of MarthaGunn; and winner of album of the year at the 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the Kate Williams Quintet.

With live concerts every evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and from 1.00pm to 6.00pm on Sundays, Cubitt Sessions offers Londoners and visitors a fantastic free musical experience — from the sounds of contemporary Trinidad, interspersed with evenings of opera, musical theatre and song.

Ladies of Midnight Blue

Also featured on Thursday 12th August are Afro-Latin percussion and brass duet of Hannabiell Sanders and Yilis del Carmen Suriel, known as 'Ladies of Midnight Blue'.

They create a powerful and upbeat fusion of rhythms, weaving combinations of melodic percussion, brass, vocal chants, and mbira.

Hannabiell and Yilis are the co-founders and Directors of Harambee Pasadia CIC. Harambee in Swahili means 'let's pull together' and Pasadia in Spanish means 'to spend the day.' They also produce Harambee Pasadia the Afro-Fusion Arts Festival.

Ladies of Midnight Blue have performed and facilitated workshops and residencies all over the world. They believe in everyday activism, which they see as a commitment to work towards equality and justice in all aspects of their lives and for their communities.

They create a powerful and upbeat fusion of rhythms, weaving combinations of melodic percussion, brass, vocal chants, and mbira4BR

Broad range

The organisers promise a broad range of musical styles and just about something for every age and every taste.

Named after the architect Lewis Cubitt who designed the Granary Building that overlooks Granary Square, the Cubitt Sessions are produced and directed by Martin Collins, Executive Director of Russell Maliphant Dance Company, and presented in collaboration with Tête à Tête, Lafayette, English Folk Dance and Song Society, Kings Place and Anthony Whitworth-Jones.

Find out more

To find out more go to: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/cubitt-sessions

https://www.hannabiell.com/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Italian Brass Band

Italian Brass Band enhances profile to Rome banding public

January 18 • The Italian Brass Band continues to provide an increasingly popular profile in the Eternal City.


Purcell School

Purcell School to introduce new industry pathway qualification

January 18 • The RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Music Industries will help students gain the experience and qualification to succeed in professional careers.


Cory

Cory set for Orbital premiere

January 18 • A visit from the composer Richard Blackford and conductor Martyn Brabbins adds to the levels of preparation ahead of eagerly anticipated world premiere at RNCM Festival.


Whitburn

Whitburn awards youth and experience

January 18 • The Scottish champion presents its annual awards to players of all ages and experience who have done their bit to keep the organisation at the top of their game.


Regent Hall Concerts - The January Band

Friday 23 January • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd