Germa Adan and Xhosa Cole

Germa Adan 

Germa Adan is a composer, vocalist, and string musician whose music traverses Haitian, American, and British folk traditions, the
rich sonic languages of the Afro-diaspora, and the improvisational spirit of jazz. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, and raised between the
US and the UK, Germa’s transatlantic journey informs a sound that is both rooted and exploratory.
Her performances blend layered string and vocal harmonies with poetic storytelling and social consciousness — inviting
audiences into immersive musical experiences that speak to ancestry, memory, and connection.
She has performed at major UK venues and festivals including Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cecil Sharp House, Migration
Matters Festival, Moseley Folk Festival, Sidmouth Folk Festival, and Manchester Folk Festival. Whether performing solo or in
collaboration, Germa’s work centres on musical dialogue, community, and deep listening.
Her second album, Borderlines & Bloodlines, draws on Haitian heritage, literature, and oral history. Featuring collaborations with
British jazz artist Xhosa Cole and Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, the album was named one of Folk Alley’s Best Trad
Albums of 2023 and praised for its emotional depth and genre-defying spirit.
‘It sounds unlike anything else out there‘ – Songlines Magazine
Germa Adan is a singular voice in contemporary folk — resonating across borders, cultures, and time.

Xhosa Cole

Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the
success of numerous community arts programmes in Birmingham including the Midland Youth
Jazz Orchestra, Jazzlines Ensemble and Birmingham Music Service. Having grown up in
Handsworth and first played the Tenor at Andy Hamilton's Ladywood Community Music School,
he's now among a long legacy of Birmingham Saxophonists including Soweto Kinch and
Shabaka Hutchings. Xhosa has performed twice at the BBC Proms, Composed music for the
Ripieno Players, a Birmingham Based String Orchestra, recorded saxophone for Mahalia’s
debut album ‘Love and Compromise’, completed a 22 date UK tour, all along side his studies as
a scholar at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Xhosa Also received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for
‘Best Newcomer’ in 2019 and Jazz FM 'Breakthrough act of the year'.
Xhosa's earliest memories of the arts are with ACE Youth Dance group. However, since playing
in Holyhead School's Jazz band with Ray Prince and Sid Peacock he decided to pursue music
and joined the Jazzlines Ensemble, Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra, Midland Youth
Jazz Orchestra among others. Xhosa attended courses with the National Youth Jazz Collective
and National Youth Wind Orchestra. He is now finishing his degree in Trinity Laban
Conservatoire in London alongside a wide spectrum of work writing and performing across the
UK. in 2019 Xhosa received the Parliamentary Jazz award for 'Best Newcomer”.

Anne-Marie Sanderson has had to withdraw from this event due to ill health

Dinner and a Show!

Bill's Kitchen, within Ludlow Assembly Rooms, is now offering a 2-course meal before the show for only £16 (if booked 24 hours in advance). Book your table directly with Bill's Kitchen and come along any time after 5.30pm to eat before the show starts – the earlier you come the bigger the menu selection. Please note that due to the popularity of these events you may be invited to share a table with other diners on the night.

For information about the meals, please contact Bill’s Kitchen directly on 01584 877956 or please book via the Bill's Kitchen meal-deal booking page