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We offer daily services and a cultural programme of talks, events and concerts. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate
St James’s Piccadilly, The Sixteen and the Genesis Foundation have joined forces in a five-year partnership celebrating the power of music to inspire, connect and bring people together. Discover extraordinary performances, new music and opportunities for the next generation of musicians.
At Christmas, St James’s is a place where everyone is welcome. For people facing loneliness, homelessness, poor mental health, financial hardship or displacement, our doors can offer something as simple – and as important – as a warm welcome, practical support and a place where they are known and treated with dignity.
St James’s hosts inclusive services and a cultural programme. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate.
St James’s is a place to explore, reflect, pray, and support all who are in need. We are a Church of England parish in the Anglican Communion.
We host a year-round creative programme encompassing music, visual art and spoken word.
We offer hospitality to people going through homelessness and speak out on issues of injustice, especially concerning refugees, asylum, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues.
St James’s strives to advocate for earth justice and to develop deeper connections with nature.
We aim to be a place where you can belong. We have a unique history, and the beauty of our building is widely known. Our community commits to faith in action: social and environmental justice; creativity. and the arts
We strive to be a Eucharist-centred, diverse and inclusive Christian community promoting life in abundance, wellbeing and dignity for all.
St James’s Piccadilly has been at the heart of its community since 1684. We invite you to play your part in securing this historic place for generations to come.
It costs £5,000 each day to keep the doors of St James’s open to all who already need us.
A reimagined St James’s realised. A redesigned garden, courtyard and new building capacity—all fully accessible— will provide beautiful spaces for all as well as improving our environmental performance.
Whether shooting a blockbuster TV series or creating a unique corporate event, every hire at St James’s helps our works within the community.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
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Saturday 17 October 12.30pm
Online streaming
This concert will be streamed live on our YouTube channel at 12.30pm.
Support our Creative Programme
Whether £5 or any amount you’re able to give. Donations can be made in cash in the basket on your way out, or by tap donation at the machines at our exits. Your generosity helps support our cultural events and charitable services. Thank you.
Free admission | Donations welcome
Programme
Adisa “The Verbalizer” Jose Zalba-Smith: piano, flutes
Adisa Stephen-Ezeocha (1968-):
Spellbound
Poetry Revolution
Take time
My Instrument my pen
What is music
I am carnival
A Love poem
Lady Onyx
Gum boot diamonds
Just give me rice
The homecoming
Words
Artist Bio
Adisa is an internationally acclaimed poet whose craft transcends traditional boundaries. Blending the art of performance and conversation, with a rich tapestry woven from his Afro-Caribbean heritage and the nuances of growing up in the UK. Adisa’s verses serve as a captivating exploration of his personal journey and the broader African diasporan narrative. Within the rhythmic cadence of Adisa’s poetry, you’ll discover a profound exploration of themes such as: The intricacies of Migration, The empowering essence of resistance, The indomitable spirit of revolution, and The transformative power of self-discovery. His words serve as a bridge between history and contemporary society, offering insightful social commentary interwoven with bucket loads of side-splitting humour.
Jose Zalba-Smith
Born in 1984, in Havana, Cuba, Jose studied flute and piano at the Alejandro G. Caturla and later at Amadeo Roldan Conservatory. His flute professors at this time were Erasmo Lopez and Floraimed Fernandez, both members of the National Symphony Orchestra, Ballet and Opera Orchestras. During this period of study, he received Second Prize in Amadeo Roldan’s National Flute Competition (1997) and First Prize from the National Union of Artists and Writers of Cuba in their Woodwind Competition in 2001, performing with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jorge Lopez Marin. Jose has given chamber music concerts with the violinist Evelio Tieles and Havana Player’s Ensemble at the Auditorium Amadeo Roldan and Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis in Havana. He was also invited to be part of the Bach Festival 2002 in Havana giving concerts in a variety of venues such as National Theatre “Garcia Lorca” and Caturla’s Concert Hall.
After auditioning in London, England, Jose was offered places at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Trinity College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the latter offered a full scholarship for the Bachelor of Music Degree which Jose accepted and commenced in 2003. After completion of this degree in 2007, Jose was kindly supported by the Society of Knights of the Round Table and the Innholders’ Company to continue his studies at the Guildhall School of Music, in the Masters Programme (Orchestral Training).
During his time at Guildhall, with Philippa Davies as his main professor, Jose enjoyed training under other eminent players such as Sharon Williams, Ian Clarke, Sarah Newbold and Sam Coles. He also played with Guildhall Symphonia and Wind Orchestra conducted by Gordon Hunt, Joseph Wolfe and David Corkhill and with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir. Colin Davies, Sian Edwards, Paolo Olmi and Christopher Seaman.
Jose was accepted as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Spain (2006-2007) and as an extra player for the National Welsh Opera.
Finally, on completing his Masters, Jose was chosen to be part of the 2008-2009 Foyle Future Firsts Training Scheme with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and also given a place with the Southbank Sinfonia with whom he has enjoyed many exciting opportunities to play an extremely varied programme in a variety of venues across the UK.
Jose has performed several times as Principal and Sub Principal with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and has participated in music festivals and toursacross the UK and Europe.
Jose currently runs a successful Cuban music workshop series which he has taken to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Oxford Flute Summer School, Philippa Davies International Flute Summer School and The Scottish International Flute Summer School.
