Najma Akhtar

Postponed from 10th February 2021.

British-born Najma has released eight critically acclaimed solo albums.

She has collaborated with many world-class artists, as diverse as Jah Wobble, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Andy Summers (The Police), Basement Jaxx, Jethro Tull, Philip Glass, Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart) and many more.

Embracing the diverse musics of the world, both geographic and historic, Najma has attracted much critical acclaim including Rolling Stone magazine which praised her “effortless artistry and emotional daring” and The Observer which declared “The pure soaring arc of Najma’s voice remains above emulation”.

Najma’s latest album was released to great acclaim in 2020. A musical journey, ‘Five Rivers’ begins in India at the Ganges and continues on to Africa and the Niger, Great Britain and Ireland, with the Thames and the Shannon and across the Atlantic to the majesty of the Mississippi, exploring the various synergies that exist between the ancient poetic art form of the Indian Ghazal and the Western traditions of song.

In researching this project Najma has absorbed the distinct musical traditions of West Africa, the Mississippi Delta, the Western Folk tradition, Ghazal, Rock music, Jazz & Psychedelia, taking only that which would serve to demonstrate their interconnectivity.

In a note to Najma, responding to her recording of the Brian MacLean song, ‘Old Man’, former Elektra label boss Jac Holzman had this to say: “Your take is original, understated and true to the spirit of the original. Most important – it works!”.

Najma’s voice has been used in films, documentaries and theatre. Her work has been widely acknowledged not only as a leading light in the development of East/West fusion in the West, but also as an independent Asian woman and feminist role model.

Visit Najma’s website

This concert is part of a short series of socially distanced world music events. There is a ticket offer if you book for Najma Akhtar, Omar Puente Quintet and Yiddish Twist Orchestra together.

COVID-19 Guidance
- All adults and children 11+ must wear a face covering (except when eating or drinking!)
- Seating will be at socially distanced tables of 1, 2, 3 and 4 and in bubbles of seats on the balconies. Please ensure you select all seats at the table or in a bubble on the balcony or you will not be able to proceed with the booking.
- Please book in household or support bubbles.
- Hand sanitiser will be available around the venue.

Please ensure you choose a table/bubble with the appropriate capacity for your group and select all seats at the table or in the group in order to proceed with the booking.

During the booking process you will be asked for a Contact Tracing number. We're asking for this data for NHS Test and Trace. We won't use it for any marketing purposes, but we may also use this number if we need to contact you about your order. If you want your phone number deleted after you have attended the event/s you are booking for, please email us and we will confirm these details have been permanently removed for you.

This is a live show and will be performed to a reduced capacity audience ensuring your safety whilst also remaining within government guidelines.

Starts: 5.30pm and 8.15pm
Tickets: £19
Venue: The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Price includes £1 booking fee

This event is promoted by The Apex