Tunde Jegede | Voyages of the Heart
Turner Sims Southampton Mayflower 400 music Commission
Voyages of the Heart is a powerful new work by renowned composer, producer, cellist and kora virtuoso Tunde Jegede; commissioned by Turner Sims Southampton and Southampton City Council as part of the Mayflower 400 programme. This new ensemble music project is inspired by the stories of Southampton’s migrant communities, collected through the City Archive and a new National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported oral history project.
The world premiere of Voyages of the Heart is on Friday 23 April at 7pm. Purchase tickets
Tunde Jegede, composer describes the piece as: “about heritage, journeys, migration and the transitory sense of home and identities… [asking] pivotal questions of our perception of culture, memory, race and how we see the world.”
Supported by funding from Arts Council England, Southampton City Council and the University of Southampton, the piece involves 25 migrant community musicians from a range of backgrounds and disciplines including: Gospel singers; an operatic choir, a Gaelic singer, and an Indian classical music vocalist. Instruments include: a string quartet, Irish folk violin and flute, guitar, Sitar, Oud, Tabla, drums and bass. The piece beautifully blends these varied styles together to create a multi-layered musical journey which is reflective of Southampton’s multicultural population.
Image: Tunde Jegede by Rachel Adams
https://www.turnersims.co.uk/news/mayflower-400-music-commission-composer-announcement/
Meet the cast
Portraits taken by Rachel Adams
Hayley McDonnell as the Waters
Irish Gaelic Singer
Southampton
Ivan Dellimore as the Father
Reggae Singer
Southampton
Pooja Angra as the Elements
Indian Classical Vocalist
Southampton
Laverne Williams as the Mother
Opera Mezzo Soprano
London
Shannon B as the Daughter
Soul Singer
Southampton
Sal Chitulu as the Son
MC/poet/Vocalist
Southampton
CJ Edwards
Gospel Singer – Choir
Southampton
Kim Kirby
Gospel Singer – Choir
Southampton
Tia Mcgregor
Gospel Singer – Choir
Southampton
Helen Gentile
Irish Whistle /Flute
Southampton
Jonathan Fashole-Luke
Piano
Southampton
Lewis Wood
Irish Folk Violin
Southampton
Luke Garnes
Drums
Southampton
Mitel Purohit
Tabla
London
Scratch Gordon
Bass
Southampton
Olivia Jageurs
Harp
Southampton
Zayn Mohammed
Sarod / Guitar
London
William Gadd
Operatic Singer – Choir
Southampton
Lucy Urquhart
Operatic Singer – Choir
Southampton
Colin Judson
Operatic Singer – Choir
Southampton
Laine Marie Cole
Operatic Singer – Choir
Southampton
Louise Owen
String Quartet – Violin
Southampton
Helen Louise
String Quartet – Viola
Southampton
Philippa Baldwin
String Quartet – Violin
Southampton
Kelly-Jo Peters
String Quartet – Cello
Southampton
Tunde Jegede
Composer
London
Caterina Loriggio, Mayflower 400 Southampton Anniversary Director said: “It is fantastic to conclude our Mayflower 400 year with such a unique and uplifting project. Throughout the programme we have been celebrating Southampton as a city and a community made from journeys and migration, this truly heartfelt commission presents us with the hardships, struggles, fortitude and triumph of so many people who, for generations, have made Southampton their home and in doing so, not only inspires, but also reminds us of our commonality.”
Artist Profiles
Pooja Angra ” The Elements” (Indian Classical Vocalist)
Watch Video
Mitel Purohit – Tabla Player
Watch Video
Luke Garnes – Drummer
Watch Video
Jonathan Fashole-Luke – Pianist
Watch VideoAfter the premiere event, local choirs and schools will have free access to over 20 songs from the piece. Tunde Jegede has been developing resources especially for community use throughout this project to inspire local musicians to explore multiple musical genres. A chance to be a part of this poignant work and enjoy a legacy project from Mayflower 400 Southampton.
