World Heart Beat, London, Unveils Silk Road Music Festival Featuring International Artists from Across Asia, Europe and Africa, October - December 2026.
Friday, August 28, 2026
From 3 October to 12 December 2026, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms will host 9 exceptional concerts celebrating the rich artistic traditions that flourished along the historic Silk Road
We have received the following press release;
This autumn, World Heart Beat’s inaugural Silk Road Music Festival invites audiences on a remarkable musical journey across continents, cultures and centuries. From 3 October to 12 December 2026, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms will host nine exceptional concerts featuring internationally acclaimed artists, celebrating the rich artistic traditions that flourished along the historic Silk Road and exploring the creative exchanges and evolving musical dialogues that continue to connect and inspire musicians and audiences around the world.
The festival opens with the captivating devotional spirit of Sufi Qawwali Night (Saturday 3 October) performed by the Khan Brothers with Ustad Haji Ameer Khan combining powerful vocals, rhythmic percussion and soaring melodies; a vibrant fusion of Bengali song and London jazz with Sahana Bajpaie (Sunday 4 October); Olcay Bayir (Saturday 17 October) brings her distinctive contemporary take on Anatolian folk music, weaving together the rich musical traditions of her Turkish heritage with modern influence; Chinese classical traditions with Pianist Siqian Li and Guzheng Virtuoso Kang Yang (Friday 30 October) bring the elegance and expressive depth of Chinese classical traditions; Lucine Musaelian & The Khio Trio (Friday 6 November) bring the evocative beauty of Armenian folk music drawing on centuries-old melodies, rhythms and storytelling traditions through a vibrant contemporary ensemble sound; South-Asian classical masters Ustad Kamal Sabri and Ustad Tari Khan (Saturday 7 November) come together for an exceptional Peace Through Music Concert celebrating the rich traditions of Indian classical music, bringing the distinctive sounds of sarangi and tabla to the stage; Singer-songwriter Amira Kheir (Thursday 19 November) offers an intimate and captivating expression of Sudanese culture, identity and storytelling; Jazz Pianist Julian Joseph and Tabla Maestro Alok Verma (Friday 20 November) bring together the expressive language of jazz with the intricate rhythms of Indian classical music; Lydia Shariff (Saturday 12 December) brings diverse music traditions including Baroque opera and Persian poetry to Urdu ghazals, Armenian lullabies, jazz and contemporary works.
Programme Highlights
Saturday 3 October – Sufi Qawwali Night – The Khan Brothers with Ustad Haji Ameer Khan
Sunday 4 October – Where Bengal Meets London Jazz – Sahana Bajpaie
Saturday 17 October – Olcay Bayir – Contemporary Anatolian folk
Friday 30 October – Echoes of the Silk Wind – Siqian Li & Kang Yang
Friday 6 November – Music from Armenia – Lucine Musaelian & The Khio Trio
Saturday 7 November – Peace Through Music – Ustad Kamal Sabri & Ustad Tari Khan
Thursday 19 November – Amira Kheir – Nubian Jazz
Friday 20 November – When The Roads Meet – Julian Joseph & Alok Verma
Saturday 12 December - The Songs She Carried: Women’s Voices Across the Silk Road - Lydia Shariff
Since opening in 2023, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens has become known by musicians and critics alike as one of South London’s finest hidden gems. Referenced by Jazzwise with its ‘new high-tech surround sound system as part of its diverse spring-summer jazz line-up’; UK Jazz News as “one of South London’s best kept secrets for serious music lovers”, the Camden New Journal as “an oasis of civilisation and humanity in a soulless world’ and ranked by Shortlist as ‘amongst London’s top jazz venues in 2025, praising its ‘astonishingly vivid’ sound’.
Every ticket purchased supports more than an unforgettable evening of live music, with proceeds helping to fund World Heart Beat Music Academy’s bursary programme, giving young people facing financial or social barriers access to high-quality music education, instruments and performance opportunities, empowering them to discover their potential through music.
Sahana Gero, Artistic Director and Founder of World Heart Beat said:
“The Silk Road was a meeting place for the exchange of ideas, stories and cultures. Our inaugural Silk Road Festival celebrates that spirit by bringing together exceptional artists from around the world, combining traditional music with contemporary interpretations and fusions. Through their performances, we celebrate the power of music to spark curiosity, create connections, and bring people together across cultures.”
Silk Road Music Festival Programme
October
Saturday 3 October 2026 | 19:30 | Sufi Qawwali night performed by the Khan Brothers with Ustad Haji Ameer Khan
Global / Pakistani / Qawwali
The Khan Brothers Qawwali Group is the UK’s first professional qawwali ensemble to be established in more than three decades. Led by acclaimed Sufi maestro Ustad Haji Ameer Khan Qawwal, the group continues a distinguished musical lineage rooted in the renowned Rampur Gharana. As the son of the legendary Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan, whose students included celebrated Bollywood composer Naushad Ali and members of the Sabri Brothers, Ustad Haji Ameer Khan carries forward a rich musical heritage. Together, the ensemble brings the powerful devotional tradition of Sufi qawwali to contemporary audiences.
Sunday 4 October 2026 | 16:00 | Sahana Bajpaie: Where Bengal Meets London Jazz
Bengali Folk / Contemporary Jazz
Acclaimed vocalist Dr Sahana Bajpaie joins forces with an extraordinary trio of internationally respected musicians—saxophonist Idris Rahman, master percussionist Mawulikplimi (Noel) Dossavi, and a special guest pianist—to reimagine the rich traditions of Bengali music. Renowned for her distinctive contemporary interpretation of Bengali song, Bajpaie brings a fresh perspective to sacred and folk repertoire, blending timeless Eastern melodies with sophisticated jazz improvisation and contemporary Western harmonies. Together, they create a captivating cross-cultural performance that celebrates musical dialogue, innovation, and the enduring spirit of the Silk Road.
Saturday 17 October 2026 | 19:30 | Olcay Bayir
Contemporary / Folk
Celebrated singer-songwriter Olcay Bayir brings her distinctive blend of contemporary and Anatolian folk music drawing on the rich traditions and poetic heritage of her homeland while embracing the diverse influences of London. Seamlessly weaving traditional repertoire with original compositions, her music explores themes of exile, womanhood, memory and belonging. Anchored by her powerful yet intimate voice, Bayir’s emotionally charged performance offers a moving and deeply personal celebration of Anatolian musical traditions reimagined for contemporary audiences.
Friday 30 October 2026 | 19:30 | Echoes of the Silk Wind: Siqian Li + Kang Yang
Classical / Folk / Global
Echoes of the Silk Wind is a captivating musical journey curated by Chinese pianist Siqian Li, featuring guzheng virtuoso and baritone Kang Yang in the opening set. The programme traces the cultural pathways of the historic Silk Road, beginning with works inspired by China’s landscapes, poetry and Uyghur traditions before travelling westwards through the Caucasus and Anatolia to Andalusia. Featuring music by composers including Fazil Say, Albéniz, Babajanian and Chu Wanghua, the performance reveals the shared musical threads connecting diverse regions, celebrating centuries of cultural exchange and the enduring influence of the Silk Road across continents.
November
Friday 6 November 2026 | 19:30 | Lucine Musaelian & The Khio Trio (Music from Armenia)
Contemporary / Folk
The programme showcases Lucine Musaelian’s distinctive artistry, featuring her expressive vocals accompanied by the viola da gamba and enriched by an evocative ensemble of instruments including kaval, clarinet, piano, percussion and vielle. Audiences are invited into an intimate and immersive soundscape where Armenian musical traditions meet contemporary expression, unfolding through themes of memory, emotion and identity. This deeply atmospheric performance demonstrates how heritage can remain alive and evolving, continually reimagined for new generations.
Saturday 7 November 2026 | 19:30 | Ustad Kamal Sabri & Ustad Tari Khan: Peace through Music
Global / Pakistani / Indian
Two legendary figures of South Asian classical music, Ustad Kamal Sabri and Ustad Tari Khan, come together for a powerful Peace Through Music concert celebrating the unifying language of music. Internationally acclaimed sarangi maestro, composer and educator Ustad Kamal Sabri represents the seventh generation of the 400-year-old Moradabad Gharana, carrying forward a distinguished tradition of musical excellence. Joining him is world-renowned Pakistani tabla maestro Ustad Tari Khan, celebrated for his electrifying virtuosity and profound mastery of the Punjab gharana style.
Thursday 19 November 2026 | 19:30 | Amira Kheir
Jazz / Global / Rock
Described by BBC World News as “The Diva of the Sudanese Desert”, Amira Kheir has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices from Africa and the Middle East. Drawing inspiration from her Sudanese heritage, she creates a powerful fusion of jazz, soul, rock, desert blues and experimental sounds, a unique style she describes as Nubian Jazz. Since the release of her critically acclaimed 2011 album View From Somewhere, Amira has captivated audiences worldwide with music that honours tradition while embracing contemporary expression. Rich in storytelling, authenticity and emotional depth, her artistry offers a compelling celebration of Sudan’s cultural heritage and its global musical connections.
Friday 20 November 2026 | 19:30 | When The Roads Meet: Julian Joseph and Alok Verma
Jazz / Indian classical / electronic percussion
Acclaimed jazz pianist Julian Joseph, renowned for his deep appreciation of global folk traditions and their influence on jazz and classical music, joins forces with virtuoso tabla maestro Alok Verma for an inspiring musical collaboration. Following their acclaimed first encounter in Atmospheres in Audio Theatre, the duo continues to explore the rich possibilities of rhythm, improvisation and shared musical heritage in their Silk Road Duet—a powerful meeting of cultures, traditions and contemporary creativity.
December
12 December 2026 | 19:30 The Songs She Carried: Women’s Voices Across the Silk Road
Classical / Vocal / Opera
British mezzo-soprano Lydia Shariff, celebrated for her commanding stage presence and rich, expressive voice, presents a captivating musical journey along the Silk Road. Baroque opera, Persian poetry, Urdu ghazals, Armenian lullabies, jazz and contemporary works come together in a journey across cultures and centuries tracing women’s voices, stories and songs.
Venue Details:
Address: World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, 3 Ponton Rd, Nine Elms, London SW11 7BD
About World Heart Beat
In 2023, World Heart Beat opened World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, a state-of-the-art digital music education and concert venue in Nine Elms, featuring a 200-capacity auditorium and industry-standard recording studio. Through our Music Leader and EMERGE training programmes, and GLA-funded South London Music Mentors, programme we are supporting Black, culturally diverse, female, and LGBT+ South London talent to find their path in the music industry.
Wandsworth-based World Heart Beat Music Academy was founded in 2009 to meet the need for affordable music education, from grassroots to professional level, for South Londoners, no matter what their age, background, or skills. Fronted by award-winning musician and educator Sahana Gero MBE, World Heart Beat is a leading music educator and hub – supported by Arts Council England as an NPO, and known for its inclusive global music programmes, youth-led approach and contribution to a more diverse and representative music sector.
The charity provides music tuition and performances opportunities for c.446 young people each year outside of school hours. World Heart Beat’s mission is to provide opportunities for all, with an ‘open door’ approach that welcomes any young person interested in learning music. This commitment sees them providing bursaries and free instruments to more than half of the students that come through their door.
World Heart Beat Music Academy Ltd. is a registered charity in England & Wales. Registered Number: 1139579.