Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir

Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir is a community Choir based in St Pauls performing Reggae music.

We perform regularly with the Orchestra, and local performers directly connected with the Windrush generation.

The group was originally formed in 2022, after Bristol Reggae Orchestra received funding from the Windrush Day Grant Scheme. The aim was to create a unique musical collaboration inspired by reggae music to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the cultural, social and economic life of Bristol and beyond.

Moving into 2023, the choir have become a force of nature in their own right and have spread even more love and joy through their eclectic performances, with many more to come. They have sung in multiple Bristol venues, including a Gala Performance at Bristol Beacon.

Please visit our Upcoming Events page to find out when and where you can see the fabulous Windrush Choir perform next.

The choir meets every other Monday evening in St Agnes Church, St Paul's.

Read reviews of Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir

"Wow, what an honour to be part of this historic Windrush Choir project. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise all those affectionately now known as the Windrush generation. My parents were part of the Windrush generation and so it has increased historical value and legacy for me personally. Reggae music allows a celebration which is soulfully inspiring and fitting for the celebration of Windrush, to sing the tunes and lyrics from Bob Marley carries deep meaning. So… is it love that I’m feeling…. well yes of course it is"

"This evening was an experience not to be missed! It was really uplifting and the choir came together, the orchestra is brilliant… especially my son who plays bass! It was just fantastic. And I think the coming together of everyone, you know black, white, young, old is just fantastic, I really love it."

Meet Kim Samuels, Windrush Choir leader

Kim Samuels is a music educator who teaches voice and keyboards and has over 40 years experience as a community gospel choir leader.

Kim Samuels' music journey started at the age of 8 when she was introduced to the piano. She immediately fell in love with it. Alongside her classical training, Kim absorbed the musical richness that came with growing up in a black pentecostal church in South West London. By her early teens she was teaching piano and had begun playing the clarinet and saxophone.

As a youth, along with her sister, Karen and friends Kim formed a gospel wind band and a gospel vocal band based in their local church. The vocal band, New Dawn still occasionally reunites for special occasions. Kim's first experience as a choir director came in the 1980s when she directed the youth choir at her church.

Currently, Kim is the leader of Bristol-based Renewal Choir, which she co-founded in 2005 with her husband, Vernon. In addition,

Kim leads the UWE Bristol Gospel Choir and is a member of The Kingdom Choir who sang at the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in 2018.

In 2023 Kim began writing and self-publishing books on music theory for children. The first two books in the Rhythm Road series can be purchased on Amazon.co.uk, with a third book due for release soon. Find out more about Kim's books here: https://kimunitymusicpublishing.com/

For more information about joining the choir, contact choir@bristolreggaeorchestra.com.

Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir