*
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    


York Barbican

Wobplay video recordings to be made at York National Finals

September 8 • Full video recordings will be made of all the performances at the forthcoming York Barbican National Finals.


Sydney City

British Open Countdown: T minus 4

September 8 • Sydney City Brass is the latest Australian band to try an emulate their remarkable predecessors in winning the famous British Open Gold Shield.


Nationals

Churcher steps down from MD role at Camborne

September 8 • Dr Gareth Churcher has taken the decision to step down as Musical Director at Camborne


Milnrow

Milnrow to replace Tredegar at Brass in Concert

September 8 • Grand Shield champion takes place of Welsh contender at Brass in Concert.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 8 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (14th) at 11am in our bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities who wish to join us in a relaxed friendly rehearsal.. It also involves tea and cake and its free to all..


Barnsley Brass

September 6 • We are looking to recruit a Flugel Horn and Back Row Cornet players. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge by the A61 south of Barnsley. S70 5LJ. Rehearsals are Mondays / Thursdays at 8pm in our purpose-built band room..


Enderby Band

September 5 • Championship section band seeking CORNETS (positions negotiable), Eb BASS, and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working and friendly team, performing a balanced diary of concerts and contests.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd