Byron Wallen live in London

Experience Byron Wallen live on November 20th

Byron Wallen is a British composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work frequently blends jazz improvisation with influences from West African musical traditions, particularly that of the kora – a 21-stringed bridge-harp originating from West Africa. His compositions often explore themes of cultural connection and identity, incorporating both acoustic and electronic elements. He is known for his innovative approach to instrumentation and rhythmic complexity.

The concert will take place within the Barbican Conservatory, a unique public garden situated in the heart of the City of London. Opened in 2014, it is housed within the Barbican Estate, a Grade II listed architectural complex completed in 1982. The Conservatory itself is a glasshouse environment containing over 1,500 plant species from around the world, recreating a tropical rainforest habitat.

Designed by landscape architect Nigel Dunnett and architects Allford Hall Halewood, it provides an unusual and intimate performance space due to its acoustics and natural surroundings. The Conservatory’s existence represents a deliberate effort to integrate nature into the urban landscape of the Barbican Centre and offers a contrast to the brutalist architecture surrounding it. It is one of the largest conservatory spaces in London open to public access.