Tag Archives: freedom

RIP Madiba

Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.
– Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

TOMORROW'S WARRIORS

RIP Nelson Mandela (Courtesy of Nelson Mandela Foundation)

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
Nelson Mandela

Individually and collectively, we are heartbroken at your passing, but rejoice in your life, your leadership, your truth, and your inspiration. Most of all we rejoice in your love. You are a true Warrior. Thank you, Madiba. May you rest in beautiful peace.

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Listen again: Robert Elms interviews Denys Baptiste on BBC London

BBC Robert Elms-Denys Baptiste interview

Great interview with Denys Baptiste by the wonderful Robert Elms on BBC Radio London last week ahead of his show at Harrow Arts Centre. Lovely to hear Robert acclaim Denys’ album, Let Freedom Ring! (Dune Records, DUNECD010) as ‘one of the most eloquent statements to have come out of British jazz in years’. We agree! It is an extraordinary, very special piece of music that has become a modern-day jazz classic.

Just a couple more days left to catch the interview on the BBC iPlayer. Click here, then scroll through to 02:34:22. Enjoy!

A Final Teaser…if you’re yet to be convinced?

“We will civilize you”

Lemn Sissay’s extraordinary poetry standing tall with Denys Baptiste’s compositions: Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring!

Book tickets to see it live at Harrow Arts Centre on Thursday 21 November by clicking HERE.

If you missed us at the London Southbank Centre performance, now really is the time…

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King

Through music we remember Martin Luther King, his words and the movements of peace and equality that he stood for.

Some shots from Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank last month:

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Look exciting? Theres still time!

And if you missed the gig last month – we’re still on tour and will be at the Harrow Arts Centre on November 21st with Denys Baptiste, the full 13-piece band (as seen above) and the stirring voices of Lemn Sissay and Ben Okri delivering poetry which not only underlines Yeast Culture’s archival Civil Rights footage, but also incites a united sense of social change among audience and performer alike. Tickets are now on sale for just £15!

Now is the time…

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If you missed us last weekend….

We’ll be at  Harrow Arts Centre on  21 November with the wonderful, specially created Harrow Community Gospel Choir. Hope to see you there!

Denys 01

LFR Choir 01 Wide + Screen 01

4 stars review for Denys Baptiste: NOW IS THE TIME…LET FREEDOM RING!

Denys Baptiste - Now Is The Time...Let Freedom Ring @ QEHAnd here’s a very nice 4-stars review from the Financial Times:

An 80-voice choir and a string quartet served notice of the ambitions of saxophonist Denys Baptiste’s reworked celebration of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech….Read on

Exclusive teaser from Now Is The Time… Let Freedom Ring!

Watch exclusive clips of poet Lemn Sissay’s ‘Civilize You’ and live music from Denys Baptiste’s touring jazz performance Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring! in SOUTHAMPTON Friday 25th, then coming to London 26th and to Harrow in November!

Click HERE for festival dates.

Edinburgh review: ‘Ambitious, heart-rending, spine-tingling, exquisite, moving…powerful stuff indeed’

Another review just in of Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring!, this time from Rhythmaning who saw the concert at Usher Hall in bonny Edinburgh.  Clearly, this show is having a real impact on audiences ‘Ambitious…heart-rending…spine-tingling…exquisite…moving…powerful stuff indeed’. This is a MUST-SEE show!!

Read the full review here…

Hear the phenomenal Love Music Community Choir singing with the orchestra:

We can’t wait to be at Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on the 25th!

A Concert of Deep Social Significance

“This was a concert of deep social significance…a masterful merge of composition and soloists which may ultimately be comparable with the extended works of Ellington, Mingus or Gil Evans.” – Lance at bebop spoken here

A wonderful review by Bepop Spoken Here of Denys Baptiste’s wonderful Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring! concert at Sage Gateshead –  click for the full interview. Four generations of Tomorrow’s Warriors appear in this fabulous band – testament to its impact and significant legacy over the past 22 years. After kicking-off the tour in Gateshead we’re moving to Usher Hall in Edinburgh – Tickets still available so don’t miss out! See you there tonight!

Dr Martin Luther King

Denys Baptiste & Lemn Sissay discuss ‘Now Is the Time’

Our roving Lively Up! Festival photographer tuned into a conversation between saxophonist/composer, Denys Baptiste and poet/author, Lemn Sissay as they discussed Denys’ new work ‘NOW IS THE TIME’ for which Lemn has contributed his poetry.

Says Lemn:

‘We have to search through our past for inspiration that can take us through the traumas of the present’.

‘[Martin Luther King] is our hero, and he’s a hero to everybody’.

What do you think?

Want more info about the live show?