Performance, Impact and Legacy
The Southern Syncopated Orchestra was a large group of mainly African American instrumentalists and vocalists, founded by the violinist, composer, and conductor Will Marion Cook. The group arrived in Britain from New York in 1919 and was initially resident in London before touring throughout the UK, including a residency at Brighton Dome in August 1921. The SSO’s performances included a wide-ranging repertoire of spirituals, plantation songs, ragtime, blues, jazz, and light classical pieces.
This talk with Catherine Tackley explores the impact of the SSO on audiences and on the development of popular music in Britain.
Catherine Tackley is a musicologist, academic, and professor of music at the University of Liverpool. Her research spans historical and critical musicology, with a focus on jazz and popular music.
Black History, Our History: BARCO Brighton Centre Takeover 2026
Join BARCO to celebrate Black History Month as we takeover the Wing at the Brighton Centre.
Spread over two floors, expect to find two days of workshops and talks, as well as a brilliant showcase of local organisations and businesses, a cozy creative space, delicious food, music and theatre performances, and more! It promises to be a day considering the Black history of the whole city, and celebrating the future of Black excellence.
Sat 10 Oct 11am-9.30pm
Sun 11 Oct 11am-5pm
The complete programme is due to be confirmed soon!
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