Renell Shaw to Premiere “The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones” at Kings Place
A landmark new concert by Renell Shaw will premiere at Kings Place this June, bringing together a distinguished ensemble of musicians to honour the legacy of the Windrush Generation through a multi-sensory live performance.
Scheduled for 25 June, The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones marks the first time Shaw’s acclaimed work will be presented with a full live ensemble. The performance combines music, spoken word, archival recordings, and visual elements, creating an immersive exploration of heritage, identity, and memory.
Shaw, an Ivor Novello Awards-winning composer, is known for a multidisciplinary practice that spans theatre, contemporary composition, and artist-led music. His previous credits include productions at Shakespeare’s Globe such as The Crucible and Othello, as well as Is God Is at the Royal Court Theatre. Alongside his work for stage, he has collaborated with artists including Rudimental, Nile Rodgers and Emeli Sandé.
The concert draws on Shaw’s Caribbean heritage, weaving together jazz, classical, and contemporary influences. It pays tribute not only to his own family history but also to the broader experience of the Windrush Generation, who arrived in Britain in 1948 and helped shape the country’s cultural landscape. The companion piece, Echo in the Bones, shifts focus to the perspectives of subsequent generations, examining themes of belonging, resistance, and identity within Black British life.
A 12-piece ensemble will be led by Shaw and features prominent musicians from across the UK scene, including Orphy Robinson, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Jean Toussaint. Vocal performances will be delivered by artists such as Afronaut Zu, Rochelle Rose and Nandi, further expanding the work’s sonic and emotional range.
The performance forms part of Shaw’s 2026 artist residency at Kings Place, within the venue’s Memory Unwrappedseries, which explores the role of music in preserving personal and collective histories. The residency also includes a mentoring initiative, The Artist’s Room, aimed at supporting emerging creatives through masterclasses and collaborative development.
A third and final instalment in Shaw’s trilogy, Remember Us Tomorrow, is scheduled to premiere on 9 October 2026. Commissioned by Kings Place, the new work will look toward future generations, questioning how identity and cultural memory evolve in an increasingly interconnected world.
Tickets for The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones are priced between £20 and £25, with the performance taking place in Hall One at Kings Place.
Thu 25 Jun | Hall One 7.30pm
THE WINDRUSH SUITE & Echo In The Bones
An evening that celebrates history, identity, and the power of music. Featuring a world-class live ensemble, intimate family recordings, and striking visuals, Renell Shaw turns memory into music, bringing the Windrush story to life with depth and soul. The second half presents Echo in the Bones, Shaw’s electrifying follow-up toThe Windrush Suite.
Ticket Prices: £20 – £25
Booking Link: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/renell-shaw-the-windrush-suite-echo-in-the-bones/
Running Time: 140 mins with interval
