Zaid Hilal and the British European Jazz Ensemble + Tom Conrad Johnson at Jamboree

0	LONDON: Jamboree
P	Friday 4th July, 2025
N	8:00pm

LONDON: Jamboree

Friday 4th July, 2025

8:00pm

Event information

‘The song bird of Palestine’, Zaid Hilal sings of creative resistance to repeated colonisation in a wonderful array of carefully-researched songs and music, expressing the deep roots of Palestinian identity. "Palestinian folk /modal jazz of the highest order” - Headfirst

Zaid Hilal is an eloquent and compelling Palestinian singer and master of the ear-catching ba?lama. From Beit Sahour, he trained from age 10 with the Edward Said Music Conservatoire in Bethlehem, produces and records albums and tours nationally and internationally. With over a million views of his youtube videos, Zaid packs venues in the Occupied West Bank, beguiling with his gentle powerful and hopeful musical message, with BEJE’s rocking-jazz take on the rich tradition of Palestine.

BEJE (British European Jazz Ensemble) is a Bristol-based world-jazz ensemble specialising in international collaborations, and the Zaid-BEJE link goes back to 2018s ‘Longing Belonging and Balfour’ show and a triumphant UK tour in 2024.

Tonight's Personel:

Zaid Hilal vocals/baglama, George Abuaita (also Palestinian) keyboards, David Mowat, trumpet, Al Swainger bass, Paolo Adamo drums, Chas Whittaker Arabic percussion.

In support is North East London's ace singer, guitarist and songwriter Tom Conrad Johnson. Tom's songs blend poetry and music and draw influences from artists like Blind Willie McTell, Tom Waits, Nick Drake and Jake Thackray. Tonight you'll see a stripped back, intimate set of his music, and hear some very new material; including the singles 'No Such Curse' and 'High was the mountain, Low was the stream' due to be released later this year.

Jamboree food option: Our ‘Zer’ kitchen is open from 5pm serving delicious Middle Eastern fusion food for you to enjoy a pre-gig meal/snack if you wish!