'Dark Days' is a new score for acoustic jazz trio by bassist and composer Neil Charles.
The work responds to the uncompromising clarity and poetic force of James Baldwin’s reflections on psychic survival, resistance and the emotional toll of racial injustice. Bringing together Neil Charles with drummer Mark Sanders and vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, the piece explores Baldwin’s continuing resonance in the present, channelling his voice into a contemporary musical dialogue.
As a prelude to the performance, the event includes a screening of Baldwin’s N**** (1969) *, a landmark documentary directed by Horace Ové, widely regarded as the first Black British feature filmmaker. Shot at London’s West Indian Students’ Centre, the film captures Baldwin in conversation with activist and comedian Dick Gregory before a young audience. Together they address the lived realities of Black experience in Britain and the United States, connecting local struggles to global histories of racism and resistance.
Please note that the film’s title contains language that is deeply offensive today. Its use reflects the historical context and urgency of the time in which it was made. The title is retained here to acknowledge James Baldwin’s fearless confrontation with systemic racism and to recognise the enduring power and relevance of his words.
Tickets £10/£8
