We are delighted to welcome Germa Adan and the Germa Adan Band to 'Listen to the World'.
About Germa Adan
Germa Adan is a composer, vocalist, and string musician whose music traverses the landscapes of Haitian, American and British folk, the rich traditions of the Afro-diaspora, and the improvisational spirit of jazz. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, and having lived in both the US and the UK, Germa’s transatlantic journey informs a sound that is both rooted and exploratory.
Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, and having lived in both the US and the UK, Germa’s transatlantic upbringing shapes her artistry. Her performances blend layered string and vocal harmonies with poetic storytelling and social consciousness —inviting audiences into immersive musical journeys rooted in identity, memory, and connection. She has performed on renowned UK stages 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 creates space for intimate yet expansive musical experiences that transcend borders and speak to shared humanity. Her second album, Borderlines & Bloodlines, is a reflective and genre-blurring work drawing on Haitian heritage, literature, and oral history. The album features collaborations such as with Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, highlighting her dedication to cross-cultural dialogue through music. Germa Adan is a singular voice in contemporary folk —resonating across borders and time.
'It sounds unlike anything else out there' - Songlines Magazine
Germa Adan Band Artists:
David Austin Grey is a UK-based pianit, composer and educator working across multiple musical disciplines. He has worked throughout the UK and internationally, including residencies and collaborations in Brazil, The United States and South Asia. Working primarily in the worlds of jazz, acoustic, electronic, experimental sound, contemporary classical and improvised music; David’s artistic direction over the past decade has been focused on exploring possibilities, and seeking out opportunities to combine art-forms and musical genres, in ways which often lead to new and unexpected results.
Romarna Campbell, an Olivier award-winning composer, dynamic drummer, and innovative music educator, proudly hails from Birmingham and is now based in London. With a career spanning continents and genres, Romarna has captivated audiences as the drummer for Fever Ray, Benjamin Clementine, and Courtney Pine. Her extensive touring has taken her across Europe, the USA, and Australia, performing at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Romarna’s mission is to create music that reflects our current reality with artistic integrity, inspiring the next generation, especially those from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and gender backgrounds, to find opportunities and solutions to follow a similar path.
About Listen to the World
‘Listen to the World’ is a place of live music where the traditions and talents of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers find a home among local artists. A playlist of shorts and other recordings from the Listen to the World programme can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@StEthelburgasLondon
Co-ordinator: For all questions about Listen to the World or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Jo Winsloe Slater at jo.winsloe@stethelburgas.org
We are immensely grateful for the support of Arts Council England for this programme.
