Renell Shaw to debut Windrush Suite at Kings Place
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- Renell Shaw will perform a double‑bill concert at Kings Place on 25 June, presenting The Windrush Suite and Echo in the Bones, with the third part, Remember Us Tomorrow, slated for 9 October.
- Renell Shaw uses an MPC One drum machine to store and playback his grandparents’ recorded voices during the performance, integrating them with a 12‑piece band.
- Orphy Robinson (65) and Romarna Campbell (30) join the ensemble, bringing marimba and Caribbean‑inspired percussion that blend with jazz horns, funk, and classical strings.
- Renell Shaw won an Ivor Novello award for The Windrush Suite in 2020, and the piece was originally performed via remote recordings during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- Renell Shaw says Echo in the Bones confronts police brutality and stop‑and‑search oppression faced by his British‑born parents, contrasting with his grandparents’ migration story.
- Renell Shaw warns that in the AI era live gigs must be "art rather than artificial," emphasizing the need for in‑person connection.
Why it matters: Black British audiences gain a nuanced, personal narrative of the Windrush generation that moves beyond official histories, while Kings Place benefits from a high‑profile, culturally resonant program that draws listeners seeking authentic storytelling in an era dominated by AI‑generated content.
