Overcoming (4th edition)

Event information

These Overcoming evenings are curated by Patrice Naiambana (Royal Shakespeare Company, Damsel, Death in Paradise), who writes:
“To overcome is to rise from struggle, to move on from conflict, and to succeed in dealing with stresses and strife. This evening is relaxed, exuberant, rises tenderly resilient, rebellious, and joyful. Nourish your curiosity and need for belonging, in the company of musicians, poets, writers, and tellers of truth.”

Featured artists:

Barry Cohen plays fretless and double bass. He ran and played with the Devon Afrobeat Collective for 5 years. He is the son of a holocaust survivor, a pacifist, and works for an environmental charity.

Neville Connor is an artist, director, theatre and Tree of Life practitioner, and CEO of Ubuntu Educational & Mentoring Services CIC.

Yue Dong is a dance educator and practice-based researcher, specialising in Chinese classical dance and autobiographical performance

Jaz Gayle is a singer/songwriter and recording artist who creates her own original blend of reggae and blues. A self-employed piano and voice teacher, currently working on her demo and preparing a Christmas set.

Roger Hall creates sound journeys with gongs and percussion, and is a free improviser on double bass

Nick Nakorn is an Anglo-Thai classic car mechanic, writer, blues piano player and a left-wing environmentalist.

Patrice Naiambana creates soundscapes with bamboo sax, harmonica, bansuri flute and spoken word. He's also an animateur, facilitating informal ensembles nationally and internationally

Ian Smith was a professional flamenco guitarist known as The Drifter. In recent years he’s changed course and now plays freely improvised music, usually on piano, both solo and with others.

Jago Stone is a jazz pianist, church organist, composer and baritone singer.

Ian Wellens has worked in wood, in education, music and, since 2006, as a cheesemonger in the Bovey Tracey business he co-founded. He is the author of A History of Palestine In Five Fruits, due for publication in early 2026.

A Diaspora Village lab performance initiative

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