Hello Again Hackney ~ A special series of performances to welcome Hackney residents back to SJQ.

Dave Okumu is among the UK’s most acclaimed and prolific musical artists.
Working across production, songwriting and musical direction, Okumu has spent two
decades collaborating, performing and recording, contributing his dynamic and
diverse talent to an extensive range of records and cultural moments.
His work with Jessie Ware began in 2010 when he co-wrote and produced her Mercury
Prize-nominated debut album Devotion (2012). Okumu was also among the Mercury
Prize winners in 2009, when his band The Invisible were nominated for their debut
album The Invisible.

Other artists with whom Okumu has worked with include Adele, Amy Winehouse, Arlo
Parks, Beck, Bilal, Connie Constance, Grace Jones, Ghost Poet, Jordan Rakei, King
Sunny Ade, Lianne La Havas, Nilufer Yanya, Paloma Faith, Rosie Lowe, St Vincent, Theo
Parrish, Tony Allen and Yoko Ono.

In 2018, the University of London awarded Okumu with an Honorary Fellowship of the
College, in recognition of his significant achievements and contributions to music.
Today, Okumu remains unrivalled in his ability to effortlessly span musical
communities, genres, cultures and scenes.

Bassist Tom Herbert is a long-standing member of London’s thriving jazz and alternative music scene, most notably in Mercury Music Prize nominated bands The Invisible and Polar Bear. Currently, he co-leads the Okumu Herbert Skinner Trio and regularly collaborates with many of London’s notable players including Shabaka Hutchings, Mark Lockheart, Robert Stillman, Liam Noble and Alabaster DePlume. In recent years he has been exploring solo double bass performances under his own name. 

Tom has also performed and recorded with a wide range of musicians including Paolo Nutini, Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Adele (on the James Bond Theme ‘Skyfall’), The Smile, Beth Orton, Tony Allen, Hugh Masekela, Lianne La Havas, Soccer96, Beck, St Vincent, Cibo Matto, Yoko Ono, Roots Manuva and on the theme and soundtrack to the cult BBC comedy League of Gentleman.

For this session the two artists will be performing a solo set before they join forces for a special duo set. The pair will be shining a spotlight on the music that has inspired them throughout their creative journey, both individually and collectively, encompassing the work of icons like Grace Jones as well as culture shaping contemporaries like Eska. They may even squeeze in a few original compositions.

For the discounted ticket offer of £5 for Hackney residents, enter the promotional code ‘helloagainhackney8’ when purchasing a ticket. Please bring proof of address on the night. Hackney resident ticket holders will receive a ‘hello again’ drink upon arrival with their ticket purchase.