Theon Cross | Azamiah | Gaïa
With artists hand-picked by guest curators Arusa Qureshi and Halina Rifai of We Are Here Scotland - staged in our intimate performance space - AMPLIFI presents an exciting opportunity to see new and rising artists in a setting designed to amplify their voices and put them centre stage.
Performers
Theon Cross
Theon Cross is one of those rare musicians whose vision has redefined their instrument. His unique approach to the tuba has expanded the instrument’s sonic possibilities in revolutionary fashion, restoring it to a long-forgotten prominence as a crucial part of the contemporary jazz ensemble. Through his combination of technical mastery, studio smarts, deep musical knowledge and expansive vision, the power and originality of Theon’s playing has reinvented the tuba’s place in modern music.
Theon approaches his music with a sensibility that travels freely across outernational style and genre, but which remains deeply rooted in his own African-Caribbean heritage. A graduate of Guildhall school of music and an alumnus of the legendary Tomorrow’s Warriors, he is as at home with ensemble jazz as he is when playing road marches, collaborating with grime stars, or providing bassline pressure in reggae, afrobeat or soca settings.
Theon released his first EP Aspirations in 2015 followed by his first album FYAH in 2019 and the Intra-I in 2021. He was a key member of Sons of Kemet until their dissolution in 2022. He has featured on albums by The Smile, Little Simz, Steamdown, Makaya McCraven, Joy Crookes, Ill Considered to name a few and contributed his version of Thelonious Monk’s Epistrophy to the Blue Note Re:Imagined series.
Azamiah
Azamiah are a Glasgow-based nu-jazz band nestled within the burgeoning music scene of Glasgow and Scotland since 2020. Through their music, Azamiah brings a healing experience, taking you on a journey across moody and light landscapes.
Debut album 'In Phases' was released June 2023 on Rebecca’s Records and its popularity has grown steadily since. The band has played on stages across the UK and Europe including Latitude Festival, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, JAZZMI festival & North Sea Round Town.
With their second release – 'Two Lands' - in May 2025, Azamiah continues to develop their sound through the exploration of new soundscapes and sonic worlds.
Band members include India Blue, Josef Akin, Alex Palmer and Norman Villeroux.
Gaïa
GAÏA is a french singer-songwriter based in Glasgow who blends nu-jazz, R&B and neo-soul. Having been deeply influenced by black music from a young age, her connection to her mixed-heritage is embodied in her music. Her songwriting is deeply explorative and emotive – drawing inspiration from her own world and experiences, she navigates her identity and story through her songwriting.
Curators:
Arusa Qureshi is an award-winning writer, editor and speaker with a passion for music, diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. Her book about women in UK hip hop, ‘Flip the Script’, is out now via 404 Ink. She has bylines in The Guardian, NME, Clash, Time Out, The Forty-Five and The Scotsman.
Halina Rifai is a podcast producer, music writer, PR & digital marketer. She founded music site Podcart in 2009 and went on to become a podcast producer, working with the likes of The Big Light, The Ferret, Mental Health Foundation, Fringe of Colour and many more. Podcasts she has worked on and continue to work on include Sheku Bayoh: The Inquiry and A Sonic Hug. Halina is Communications Manager for We Are Here Scotland – A space aimed at supporting and raising the voices of Black People and People of Colour creatives across Scotland.
Supported by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Winner of the Creative Edinburgh 'Inclusion' Award.
Presented by The Queen’s Hall and We Are Here Scotland