World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens presents exceptional artists and bands to warm your soul and brighten these winter days, whilst taking refuge at the unique and welcoming space, complete with awesome acoustics with world-leading d&b SoundScape system.

February kicks off with the exploration of a music journey exploring the ‘graft of a life well lived’ Phil Merriman Trio: The Roots Beneath (Friday 7 February); a quintet featuring a mix of contemporary and traditional jazz ideas with Miguel Gorodi Quintet (Saturday 8 February); an evening of eclectic jazz from James Wade Sired’s Big Band and Sextet, JWS Big Band (Thursday 13 February) and dancing rhythms and playful melodies of Brazil and Cuba plus the harmony of North American jazz with Nick Costley-White: Poncha Album release (Saturday 22 February).

As we move into March, there’s a collection of sophisticated compositions inspired by renowned jazz and classical composers, Alberto L Ferro: Piano Introspections (Wednesday 12 March); lose yourself in Julian Joseph’s (Friday 14 March) unforgettable solo piano performance as part of the new ‘Piano in the Elms‘ series which draws inspiration from the elm tree—a timeless symbol of community and connection; Five Way Split (Friday 28 March) a jointly-led band formed in 2020 featuring some of the finest contemporary jazz musicians in the UK; and premiere of unique, exciting and explorative jazz orchestra project Hans Koller: Rejoicing Ensemble featuring John O’Gallagher (Friday 25 April).

CHECK OUT THE LIVE DATES BELOW:

February

Phil Merriman Trio: The Roots Beneath, Friday 07 February 2025, 7:30pm A fluent, thoughtful and highly creative pianist Phil Merriman has worked with a wide variety of classical, world and jazz musicians. He includes performances at the likes of Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club, Cadogan Hall, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and The Royal Albert Hall alongside musicians as diverse as Polly Gibbons, CeCe Peniston, Raph Clarkson, Tara Minton and Aref Durvesh. He will be playing music from his recently released album, The Roots Beneath alongside brand-new original material and arrangements and will feature his established trio of John Williamson (bass) and Simon Roth (drums).

Miguel Gorodi Quintet, Saturday 08 February 2025, 7:30pm Join Miguel Gorodi, a London-based trumpet player, composer and teacher working across a broad spectrum of Jazz and improvised music. This quintet is Gorodi’s latest project reflecting his interests in contemporary and traditional ideas in Jazz, and features some of the most distinctive voices on the UK jazz scene: Nathaniel Facey (Empirical, Jack DeJohnette, Jason Moran), Alcyona Mick (Yazz Ahmed, Ingrid and Christine Jensen, Nikki Iles), Calum Gourlay (Kit Downes, Tommy Smith, Will Vinson), and James Maddren (Gwilym Simcock, Kit Downes, Jacob Collier).

JWS Big Band, Thursday 13 February 2025, 7:30pm James Wade-Sired is a brilliant young trombonist who shines bright on the London and international music scene. He emerged through various innovative London music programmes and came to the notice of artists like Cleveland Watkiss, Olivia Dean, Ricky Ford and Charles Tolliver with whom he’s performed, toured and recorded. Tonight, he will perform with his Big Band and Sextet.

Nick Costley-White: Poncha Album Release, Saturday 22 February 2025, 7:30pm Nick’s latest project “Poncha” showcases his own melodic and highly rhythmic composing, fusing influences from South and Central America with his own jazz background. For this band Nick has brought together 3 of the most sought-after musicians in Europe; Saxophonist Julian Siegel has long been celebrated as “One of the UK’s most creative saxophonists” (Mojo Magazine) and lists Hermeto Pascoal, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Wheeler, Django Bates and NDR Big Band amongst extensive performing credits. James Maddren and Conor Chaplin between them are easily one of the most renowned and exciting rhythm sections in the world, regularly performing with the likes of ENEMY, Gwilym Simcock, Brad Mehldau, Aaron Parks and Seamus Blake.

March

Alberto L Ferro: Piano Introspections, Wednesday 12 March 2025, 7:30pm Jazz Pianist and Composer, Alberto will perform music from his newly released album Introspections (2025), a collection of sophisticated and emotional compositions combined with improvisations inspired by renowned jazz and classical composers.

Piano in the Elms: Julian Joseph, Friday 14 March 2025, 7:30pm Join Julian Joseph for an unforgettable solo piano performance as part of the new ‘Piano in the Elms’ series. Compositionally creative in the moment, he fashions the unexpected with his ability to take any part of a song – familiar or original – into the fresh territory of invention. Joseph is a seeker and loves to explore with music he has written or drawn from the vast cannon of standards or just great pieces he loves.

Five Way Split, Friday 28 March 2025, 7:30pm Five-Way Split is a jointly led band formed in 2020 featuring some of the finest contemporary jazz musicians in the UK, fronted by renowned trumpet star Quentin Collins and Greek saxophone phenomenon Vasilis Xenopoulos. The rhythm section features the golden touch of pianist and composer Rob Barron, virtuosic bassist Matyas Hofecker and dynamic drummer Matt Home.

ABOUT WORLD HEART BEAT

In 2023, World Heart Beat opened World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, a state-of-the-art digital music education and concert venue in Nine Elms, featuring a 200-capacity auditorium and industry-standard recording studio. Through their Music Leader and EMERGE training programmes, and GLA-funded South London Music Mentors, programme they are supporting Black, culturally diverse, female and LGBT+ South London talent to find their path in the music industry.

Wandsworth-based World Heart Beat Music Academy was founded in 2009 to meet the need for affordable music education, from grassroots to professional level, for South Londoners, no matter what their age, background or skills. Fronted by award-winning musician and educator Sahana Gero MBE, World Heart Beat is a leading music educator and hub – supported by Arts Council England as an NPO, and known for its inclusive global music programmes, youth-led approach and contribution to a more diverse and representative music sector. The charity provides music tuition and performances opportunities for c.446 young people each year outside of school hours. World Heart Beat’s mission is to provide opportunities for all, with an ‘open door’ approach that welcomes any young person interested in learning music. This commitment sees them providing bursaries and free instruments to more than half of the students that come through their door.