Bumi Thomas: the Glasgow-born singer given two weeks to leave the country

Despite living much of her life in the UK, the jazz musician became a victim of the hostile environment policy. She talks about her fight to remain – and strengthening her rootsDuring lockdown, UK jazz artist Bumi Thomas has found space to spread out in her local park. “I take my guitar and howl,” she laughs. “I love it!” As the world starts to understand just how much black women feel they have to reduce themselves, it’s soothing to think of a carefree Thomas filling public space with highlife and jazz melodies.She tells me about a Peter Adjaye livestream she’s been dancing to and speaks with what she calls a “transatlantic twang”, a blend of a Hausa accent from her years living in Nigeria, the place of her parents’ birth; a distinct international-school American lilt; and strands of Glasgow and London. Then there is the influence of Yoruba, “a very deep and brooding language that comes from a different part of your mouth and body,” she says. “I learned it later in life singing Fela Kuti songs. And there’s a connection to the blues I grew up singing, like Miles Davis and Muddy Waters.” Continue reading…
Via: Bumi Thomas: the Glasgow-born singer given two weeks to leave the country