THE MUSIC charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall are turning the volume up on three black Birmingham artists, who have been invited to compose musical responses on the theme of racism, individual and systemic.

Fast-emerging British singer, songwriter and pianist Reuben James’ virtuoso jazz techniques and soulful, evocative voice have led him to be widely regarded as one the most exciting and creatively assured artists to have emerged in recent years. 

Although perhaps best known for his ongoing collaborations with Sam Smith, which have included co-writing songs for Smith’s four-million-selling album The Thrill of It All, James has written for and performed with an array of international star acts including the likes of Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Herbie Hancock, Elton John, John Legend, Tori Kelly, Little Mix, Disclosure and Liam Payne amongst many others. 

James signed with Warner/Chappell in 2018 and has since been working on his own material, exploring the boundaries between jazz and pop.

Romarna Campbell is a drummer, composer and producer from Birmingham. From a very young age, music has been at the heart of everything that Romarna does, with a particularly large Hip-Hop and Jazz influence.

Music has afforded her the opportunity to travel around the world, including studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. She has also had the great honour and joy to perform around Europe and the US with many people, including Courtney Pine, Billy Childs, Soweto Kinch and more, as well as lead her own bands and projects with many of her peers and friends.

Currently, Campbell is working on here debut EP.

BBC Young Jazz Musician winner Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous Birmingham community arts programmes. He first played the Tenor at Andy Hamilton’s Ladywood Community Music School, however, it was Holyhead School’s Jazz band with Ray Prince and Sid Peacock that lead him to pursue music, joining the THSH Jazzlines Ensemble, Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra and many more.

Handsworth-born Col econtinually pushes his playing while studying with teachers and mentors including Mike Williams, Jim Bashford and David Austin-Grey; Performing regularly around Birmingham; Writing for commissions by the Ideas of Noise Festival and Bobbie-Jane Gardener’s ‘For-Wards’ others.