Leee John

Leee John

Tickets available

Please note: Info provided by the Event Organiser

About the show

Leee John, the platinum-selling lead singer of pioneering British black music act Imagination, is headlining the launch of a new Woodbridge Festival event in Suffolk. Starting Friday 22 May, the three-week series will celebrate Thomas and John Clarkson, renowned anti-slavery and peace campaigners that lived in Woodbridge and nearby Playford in Suffolk.
The star-studded line-up at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, will see Leee John appear with his new Jazz band, featuring Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor, Imagination and Sister Sledge pianist Dr. John Watson, Soweto Kinch and Jazz Warriors bassist Miles Danso and virtuoso Saxophonist Dave Mansell.
The night launches a campaign to celebrate the legacy of the local heroes Thomas and John Clarkson, who founded two of the world's first civil rights movements, campaigning for the abolition of slavery and world peace. Events at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, where John Clarkson is buried, will book-end the three-week festival.
The opening night on 22 May celebrates the foundation of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, co-founded by Thomas Clarkson on 22 May 1787. It will also launch a campaign for a space in Woodbridge where the Clarkson's contribution to civil rights can be permanently celebrated. The closing event, on Sunday 14 June, marks the 210th anniversary of the foundation of the world's first peace movement.

Featuring

Leee John

Leee John appearing at this event
An internationally-renowned and ageless front man from the 80's soul/pop team 'Imagination', singer/songwriter Leee John steps into the jazz realm.

See Leee John tour dates

Ben Osborne

Ben Osborne appearing at this event
Described as a "polymath" by Time Out, Ben Osborne is a DJ, writer, award winning creative producer and founder of the Noise of Art, a collective which marries electronic music with art, film and other disciplines. He's a musician, DJs clubs internationally, presents radio shows and has written books on the history of electronic music and the Arctic Monkeys. He's the founder of the long running Slipped Disco Club and holds several London residencies. Amongst the venues he’s played are Queen Elizabeth Hall, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The Roundhouse, Brighton Dome, National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Glasgow Art School, Brighton Dome, Volks Buhne Berlin, White Trash Berlin, Tacheles Berlin, KitKat Munich, The Cross Club Prague, Roxy, Lucerne, Vlokva and Acropolis in Prague, Moulin Rouge, Le Communion, Point Ephemere, Social Club Paris, Hotel Tres Particlier, Chateau Du Pompiers Canal St Martin, Paris, Glaz' Art, British Film Institute, Cargo, Ministry of Sound, Koko, Scala, Village Underground, Red Gallery, Big Chill Bar and House, as well as festivals such as Latitude Festival, Big Chill Festival, Great Escape Festival, Spot Festival Denmark, Berlin Insane Festival, Berlin Music Week, Convergence Festival, Brighton Festival, Sonar opening party Barcelona, Chateau Perché, France, Techno Parade Paris, Bastille Day Paris, Europavox - Clermont Ferrand, MaMA, Paris, Future Sounds of Jazz Ghenk, Frozen, Lubjana, Ether Festival, Elephest, WAME, Louder Than Words and many club venues and warehouse parties. He's presented dance music radio shows for Xfm, NME Radio and Totallyradio. The VIP parties he's played include the launch party for The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour - attended by Sir Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller and members of the Monty Python cast - the official pre-Olympics party at the top of BTTower, The Digital Music Awards with Ed Sheeran and Virgin MediaAwards with La Roux at BFI Southbank. The artists he's collaborated with include singer Aluna from Aluna George, actor Nathaniel Parker, author David Pinner, Designer Ralph Koltai CBE, dance troupe The People Pile, textile artists Cavalcanti, visual artists Overlap, sculptor Mark Scott Woood and projectionists Prick Image - to mention a few of the disciplines he's worked across.

See Ben Osborne tour dates

Find places to stay near St Mary's Parish Church

on Friday 22 May 2026