IN A year of tragedy, turmoil and reflection, five of the most exciting young musicians on Britain’s contemporary jazz scene have taken to the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s stage to perform and celebrate a series of anthems of Black pride and protest.

Presented by TV and radio presenter, Maya Jama, the programme, Sing It Loud: Black and Proud, features Poppy Ajudha, Ashley Henry, Reuben James, Zara McFarlane and Ayanna Witter-Johnson who perform their own interpretations of iconic Black protest anthems from Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye and James Brown. 

Jama will chat with each artist about the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement and their choice of song, and the performer’s will provide insights about why they still resonate today.

Multi-talented saxophonist Soweto Kinch will also deliver a rousing rendition of his recent work.

Sing It Loud: Black and Proud, which has been produced in collaboration with Ronnie Scotts, is part of Channel 4’s Black and Proud series of programmes. The month-long season celebrates Black lives and Black culture, with content ranging from bold and timely documentaries to powerful short films that show different aspects of the Black experience in modern Britain.

Sing It Loud: Black and Proud will be broadcast on 28 October at 11.10pm on Channel 4.