Ladies Of Midnight Blue Livestreaming From The King's Hall – April 29

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Hannabiel Sanders (bass trombone, African and Latin Percussion, mbira); Yilis del Carmen Suriel (African and Latin percussion, mbira) + guests Mariam Rezaei (turntable); Luke Gaul (electric guitar)

This was 30 minutes of exciting music, an unusual fusion of African and Latin sounds, described on the Newcastle University website as music of the African diaspora. Three long pieces which I'd guess were partly improvised, with perhaps a basic structure, directed by musical signals from the participants.

Roll Of Thunder began atmospherically, with a tinkling rhythm and ominous low boom, on a stage decked out with drums of all sizes, a laptop, and Yilis holding a large hollow sphere which seemed to have keys inside, and which I assume is the mbira.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Hannabiel whispers and sings, 'Thunder, hear my cry, old man coming down the line', low-voiced, presumably telling the thunder to go away, though I'm not sure about that, all I know is that it sounded interesting. Forget 'tunes' as such, this is all grooves and rhythms, and the mbira reminding you of lions walking across the Savannah in documentaries.

Next comes Conversations With Percussion And Conch, the title says it all. Yilis on various drums, strong, complex rhythms, with Hannabiel singing/playing a large conch shell, using her hands to control the sound, watching each other for cues and cleverly matching rhythms, Hannabiel now on drums, faster, slower, quieter, sudden stop with a final flourish.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

The last piece is listed as King ? Featuring the guests on turntable and guitar. It begins with quiet chirrups from the turntable, slow drumbeats, and faint trombone sounds: guitar fragments appear later and the piece builds to a climax, louder trombone, livelier sounds, vocalisation from somewhere, then a gradual dying of sound, skilfully managed.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

It is worth mentioning some biographical details about these talented musicians. Hannabiel and Yilis have played all over the world, promoting everyday activism and ideas of equality. They produce Harambee Pasadia, which is an Afro fusion arts festival with camping for families. Mariam Rezaei is involved in the Fringe of the local Tusk Festival and Luke Gaul is an improvising guitarist who is based in the North East.

This is the final concert in the King's Hall series and the gigs resume again in October.  A very fitting way to end the series on a high.

Ann Alex