Soul Mama is a new live music and dining concept from musician, broadcaster, author and philanthropist, YolanDa Brown OBE DL, launching in September on the ground floor of Design Hotel, The Gantry in Stratford.
Offering an exciting programme of live music across genres; Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Reggae and much more, Soul Mama’s launch programme features the likes of UK Soul legend Omar, Bill Laurance from Snarky Puppy, Jazz legends YellowJackets, national treasure Gareth Malone with his sing along show and soul singer and Goldie collaborator Terri Walker. Award winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown will be headlining a special three-night run in October, in what will be an emotional gig for her and the audience in attendance.
This November, Soul Mama, will be flying the flag in East London, as part of the London Jazz Festival with special concerts featuring Jazz Jamaica with their mesmeric fusion of Jazz and reggae and all the way from Atlanta, a four-night residency from Avery*Sunshine. It’s not just music at Soul Mama; there will be comedy, fireside chats, concerts for children and families and much more. The entertainment is always matched by Soul Mama’s exciting food concept that fuses the authentic tastes of Africa, the Caribbean and South America, making this a destination like no other in London.
Occupying the spacious ground floor of The Gantry, Soul Mama features a double height space with floor to ceiling windows and a relaxed feel that lends itself to all kinds of events, from high octane gigs to buzzy gospel brunches and intimate concerts. A music venue created by a musician; Soul Mama’s design has been artist-led. A large stage commands the room, without dwarfing the space, and seating is a mixture of tall and restaurant style tables framed by a bar serving rum cocktails
and delicious bar snacks. Opening straight out to one of the busiest parts of Stratford, next to the Stratford international station and Westfield, the venue’s welcoming façade, community heart and buzzy atmosphere will create a new creative hub in this exciting, quickly burgeoning part of London.
The food concept at Soul Mama is led by Executive Head Chef, Aleandro Brown. Having trained under Michelin-starred chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Aleandro has worked with the likes of Helene Darroz at The Connaught, as well as at Maze Grill, Sketch and his talent and dedication saw him become a key member of the team at The Ritz London, contributing to the restaurant’s achievement of its first Michelin Star. With an inherent passion for Afro-Caribbean cooking, he brings this combination of skill and authentic knowledge to Soul Mama. The menu is inspired by mamas from around the world who have passed their recipes down through generations. Signature dishes like the one pot creamy coconut chicken curry with rice & peas and Ghanaian style kelewele plantain will sit alongside sharing dishes like mango jerk cauliflower and Venezuela inspired cornbread arepas with a twist. These dishes will be enjoyed during the show as the perfect accompaniment to the entertainment.
The drinks menu features signature cocktails such as Soul Mama’s rum punch and sax on the beach, all fused with Caribbean, African south American influences, as well as a curated wine list and local beers.
YolanDa Brown OBE, along with music manager and creative entrepreneur Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, set out to create a music venue and restaurant grounded in community, whether it’s through performances from emerging artists, supporting local talent through development grants, or live events with established artists. The Soul Mama concept was launched last year via a crowdfund on the Kickstarter platform, they raised a record-breaking £248,148, now a Guinness World Record.
As woman-led start-ups, particularly those founded by black women, continue to be underfunded, YolanDa has had to think out of the box to fund this important venue that will add inspiration and joy to many.
“Soul Mama has been a dream come true, and I’m incredibly excited to open doors to our first venue. This journey has been filled with passion, belief, dedication, tears, laughter, perseverance, and a lot of hard work. I’m thrilled to see the vision come to life. Our programming is designed to celebrate diverse voices who bring inspiration and joy providing a platform for emerging and established artists alike. Grassroots music venues are the heartbeat of our cultural landscape, nurturing talent
and fostering creativity. Soul Mama represents a venue for artists by artists, where creativity thrives and connections are made. We aim to offer an unparalleled experience where food and entertainment come together, creating moments filled with laughter and hope for everyone who walks through our doors.” – YolanDa Brown OBE DL
Soul Mama has partnered with Ticketmaster to expand its venue’s reach through Ticketmaster’s extensive marketing network. This collaboration will also leverage Ticketmaster’s leading technology and expertise to provide fans with a seamless ticketing experience.
Officially launching in September, the Summer soft launch phase will see exclusive previews and events, as well as the launch of the Soul Mama Café, an all-day spot for coffee, pastries, afternoon events and good times, with a Soul Mama soundtrack to match. This is an opportunity for local businesses and residents to get a feel for Soul Mama before anyone else gets the chance.