From Tudor musician John Blanke to the lead singer of The Selector Pauline Black and DJ Nia Archives, The British Library’s ‘Beyond the Bassline’ will be the first major exhibition of its kind to delve into 500 years of Black music in Britain. As well as specific artists, the exhibition will spotllight carnivals, community centres and record shops that have played a vital part in cultivating different Black music genres including The Reno in Manchester, Bristol’s Bamboo Club, Scottish club night The Reggae Klub and The Four Aces in London.
Over 200 objects will be on display including letters by 18th-century composer Ignatius Sancho, an outfit worn by jazz singer Patti Flynn in the 1970s, imagery documenting the evolution of grime by acclaimed photographer Simon Wheatley and footage from the MOBO Awards. Expect an evocative journey through jazz, reggae, jungle, afroswing and more.
