Our tribute to Evelyn Dove, created in partnership with the local charity World Heart Beat Music Academy, honoured the legacy of Battersea-born trailblazing singer and actress Evelyn Dove, the first Black woman to be broadcast on BBC Radio in 1925. As part of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture year, this project celebrated her remarkable contribution to both Wandsworth’s and the nation’s cultural heritage.

In her honour, we brought together a group of young local musicians to research, rehearse, and perform jazz repertoire from Evelyn Dove’s era. These talented local artists, nurtured through the charity’s music programmes, formed a specially curated band that opened our Monday show at Battersea Park in Concert. Their performance celebrated diversity, empowered underrepresented voices, and gave young musicians from the community a meaningful platform to showcase their talent.

Battersea Park in Concert helped showcase local talent and bring Evelyn Dove’s story to life in a special way. The tribute brought people together, celebrated diversity and reminded audiences of Battersea’s rich cultural heritage. It was a moment that connected Battersea’s past with its present, celebrating local history while giving the next generation their time to shine on stage.

Check out our video below to see the behind-the-scenes of the project rehearsals!