Sanctuary Sessions presents: The London Lucumi Choir

This the first in what will hopefully be many concerts in the nave or 'sanctuary' of Highfield Trinity Church,  bringing people together in a community sacred space to experience music that re-connects.

Our first session will be immersion in some extraordinary devotional music from the African diaspora.

The London Lucumi Choir is a community ensemble rooted in the Cuban 'Santeria' religion. Led by Daniela R De Armas, an ordained 'Iyalorisha', or priestess, the choir sings to the Orisha - West African Yoruba deities - accompanied by traditional Afro Cuban bata drumming. 

Since its formation in 2006, the they have performed internationally, recorded five albums, and reached the finals of the BBC Choir of the Year competition. Their most recent 2023 album “Iya” ( Yoruba for Mother) pays homage to the female Orishas including Oshun, Yemaya and Nana Buruku.

"Santeria is about serenading the Gods and thereby inviting them down to join the party and bless with their wisdom. That certainly seems to be happening here." 

Songlines 

'The songs are joyful chanted spirituals complemented by the intricate clattering percussion of the bata drum. They deftly switch tempo, rise and fall in cadence, and swirl in excitable cycles skywards to the heavens... this is genuinely religious music. '

Ransom Note

Free and low cost tickets will be provided to local community groups - please get in touch if interested. Please pay the higher 'supporter' ticket fee if you can afford it to support people who can't.