Germa Adan
Germa Adan is a Haitian-born composer, vocalist and string musician whose work draws on Haitian, American and British folk traditions alongside wider global folk influences and collaborations, the rich sonic languages of the Afro-diaspora and the improvisational spirit of jazz.

Her transatlantic journey and evolving collaborative practice inform a sound that is both rooted and exploratory, moving across cultural and musical traditions while remaining grounded in voice, memory and lived experience. Through layered vocal and string textures, Germa’s work explores the ways sound can carry personal and collective histories across places and generations.

Her album Borderlines & Bloodlines was named one of Folk Alley’s Best Trad Albums of 2023 and described by Songlines as ‘unlike anything else out there'

Harjinder Singh 
Harjinder is a UK-based sarangi player trained in the Moradabad/Senia tradition of North Indian classical music. He began his sarangi training in 2003 under Kamal Sabri, son of the renowned sarangi maestro Ustad Sabri Khan, who he later became a disciple of.  His musical development continued through the traditional guru–shishya parampara. In 2009, Harjinder undertook an intensive period of study at Ustad Sabri Khan’s residence in Delhi, spending many hours immersed in the technique and traditions of the sarangi and the wider heritage of Hindustani classical music.

Harjinder has performed as both a soloist and accompanist in the UK, India and Europe. His classical work has included a series of performances and collaborations within the Hindustani classical tradition, while his wider practice has brought the sarangi into dialogue with artists working across different musical and cultural traditions.

This event is in partnership with Celebrating Sanctuary

Celebrating Sanctuary Birmingham works through the arts to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions that refugees make to Birmingham and more widely the UK. We work collaboratively with artists in exile and local communities to build relationships, share cultural identities and provide opportunities for our artists to perform, network and develop their careers in Birmingham. Their events celebrate the tradition of offering sanctuary in the UK to those fleeing persecution, affirming the message that sanctuary is a human right.

They are committed to promoting and showcasing the very best artistic practice from artists originating from or connected to areas of conflict, turmoil and/or unrest. Their programme seeks to highlight the positive impact arts can make in transforming people's lives.