Sam Wills, Byrony Jarman-Pinto, Aretha Fontaine, Natalie Lindi & Naiyah

Global Soul Showcase

Sam Wills

Hastings born Sam Wills is rapidly becoming one of the most hotly tipped artists of the UK the neo-soul / r&b movement.

His debut album ‘Breathe’ released in summer 2021 has clocked up well over 300 million streams worldwide with the single ’Traingazing’ becoming a viral hit worldwide.

Global Soul have been supporters from the outset he did his first interview on the station in 2022.

In the recent past Sam has played festivals including Cross The Tracks, El Dorado and The Great Escape, he has sold out multiple shows in London including Lafayette, Colours Hoxton and the Jazz Cafe alongside touring with Jordan Rakei, Jamie Cullum and Tom Misch.

As producer, writer and vocalist Sam Wills’ has collaborated with some of the most in demand artists including Jorja Smith, Disclosure, Jordan Rakei, Tom Misch, SG Lewis, Lucky Daye and many more.

Sam has been back in the studio during 2023 working on his sophomore album, new music is due for summer 2024

Byrony Jarman-Pinto

London-born, Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and musician Bryony Jarman-Pinto seamlessly blends enchanting vocals and spellbinding jazz-infused melodies with intricately crafted and personal lyrics, with her talent for storytelling. Bryony’s harmonious vocals, layered with jazz, soul and elements of folk, create a melodic sound that has charmed major tastemakers, including Global Soul, Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Gilles Peterson (BBC 6Music), Lauren Laverne (BBC 6Music), Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Laurent Garnier (Worldwide FM), Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), John Kennedy (Radio X) and Jeremy Sole (KCRW); receiving praise from publications including EARMILK, Dummy, Clash, The Telegraph, Bandcamp Weekly, and PopMatters.

Bryony's sublime debut album ‘Cage & Aviary’, created with long-time friend, collaborator and Tru Thoughts label-mate Tom Leah AKA Werkha, was released in August of 2019. Since releasing her LP, Bryony has been remixed by dego, Wu-Lu, Footshooter, Wonky Logic and Jesse Fischer. She collaborated with Duke Hugh on a Boomerang Records compilation ‘Global Sounds’ alongside the likes of Mark de Clive-Lowe, Yazmin Lacey and Afronaut Zu. Her performances span prestigious venues and festivals, including We Out Here, Love Supreme, Ronnie Scott’s, and supporting Roy Ayers at the Union Chapel. Selected for a BBC Introducing showcase, she also graced the stage at Tobacco Docks.

Aretha Fontaine

26-year-old Vocal sensation with a vibrant mix of West London and Caribbean hertiage. Her powerful Vocals are sultry and soulful effortlessly capturing hearts and minds.

Her Singles "Bad Habits" and "Soul Ties" have garnered widespread acclaim, showcasing her remarkable vocal prowess and songwriting talent. Aretha released her single Reassurance (September 2023) which is an introduction and taster to Aretha's debut E.P. titled "Therapy Notes" (October 2023) it takes listeners on an emotional journey through her experiences.

Her live performances are captivating, leaving audiences mesmerized by her stage presence and undeniable charisma.

She is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in the music world.

Naiyah

Residing in London, raised in the midlands, a singer/songwriter who grew up singing Soprano in church choirs where she discovered her passion for storytelling through her voice. She claimed her first residency at just 16 and went on to write and release music with DownTown Records shortly after.

In 2017 she won the AME Singer of the Year Award for her work supporting charities and performing within the midlands.

After a 3 year hiatus, Naiyah returned in 2020 joining award winning artist collective, Steamdown, as one of their resident vocalists. Her meditative, soulful music combined with her sultry tone projects sensuality, spirit, and soul beyond barriers. Her music heavily draws from her life experiences and challenges. With a range of influences in Jazz, Neo-soul and rnb, her sound evokes the soulful essence of her idols such as the likes of Rachelle Ferrell, Amel Lerrieux and Jazmine Sullivan.

Naiyah will be releasing her debut EP in 2024 which she will be showcasing here.

Natalie Lindi

An emerging artist who has been steadily gaining attention and accolades from those who have encountered her music and performances. She was crowned winner of the national Open Mic UK competition in 2019 after beating over 10,000 applicants in addition to winning “Best Song” 3 times in the same year. She went on to become a recipient of the UK’s prestigious MOBO Awards “Unsung Class of 2022” and featured on the MOBO Unsung album released through Marshall Amp’s label.

Born and raised in north west London, and borrowing sounds from her South African heritage, Lindi’s songwriting blends a variety of musical influences. Her use of soulful melodies has drawn comparison to songwriters such as Lianne La Havas and Tori Kelly, with her vocal range and captivating tone inspired by the stylings of artists such as Minnie Riperton and Nina Simone.

Natalie has performed extensively around the UK including Ronnie Scotts, the Great Escape festival, O2 Indigo, in addition to European performances including the Altersonic festival in the Netherlands. She has performed alongside Bruno Major and has received support from BBC Radio One and Introducing.

Recently, Natalie has been singing with jazztronica duo - Blue Lab Beats - and made appearances with them at the iconic Glastonbury festival, Jazzaldia in Spain, and most recently for Global Soul at KOKO Camden.

Keeper her debut single was released through AWAL in November, and she plans to share a steady stream of singles as part of her debut EP over 2024 we will be showcasing here.

HOST: Victoria Jane (BBC Radio 1)

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London, United Kingdom