Chaka Khan’s Meltdown brings Nu Civilisation, Incognito and Balimaya Project to London’s Southbank
Mike Flynn
Friday, March 22, 2024
This summer will see London’s Southbank Centre present Chaka Khan’s Meltdown, from Friday 14 June to Sunday 23 June with plenty of jazz names among the vocal diva’s specially curated programme
The 29th curator of Meltdown, Chaka Khan will perform at the Royal Festival Hall twice – opening the festival with a hit-packed retrospective (14 June) and then closing the 10-day event with the first ever live performance of her 2004 ClassiKhan album with the renowned Nu Civilisation Orchestra (23 June). Recorded at Abbey Road Studios the album is a string-laden celebration of the Great American Songbook, featuring classic jazz standards and iconic film anthems, including ‘Hey Big Spender’, ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘Diamonds Are Forever’.
Further names announced include the Brixton-based jazz-rap group Speakers Corner Quartet (17 June), whose 2023 album Further Out Than the Edge received much critical acclaim., they appear here in a special collaboration with the Guildhall Orchestra. Popular acid jazz group Incognito (19 June) celebrate 45 years of their debut album Jazz Funk, while rising vocalist Lady Blackbird (20 June) will give a preview of material from her eagerly anticipated new LP that’s due out in the autumn.
Trip hop duo Morcheeba (22 June) showcase their signature electronic sound while the Queen Elizabeth Hall hosts special appearances from Rahsaan Patterson (16 June), Mica Paris (19 June), Judi Jackson (20 June) and the House Gospel Choir (23 June). Meanwhile, jazz-and-percussion powered West African ensemble Balimaya Project (21 June) will stage a high energy show in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer. Further names for Chaka Khan’s Meltdown, including the full free programme, club nights and more will be announced in the coming months.
For full details and tickets visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/meltdown
