Bristol Reggae Orchestra

Bristol Reggae Orchestra is one of the UK’s most unique, inspiring and uplifting community projects. Set up in early 2010, its debut sold out St George’s in Bristol, a renowned classical music venue, and turned it into a seething dance hall. Since then, performances at local festivals, in the St Paul’s community and around the southwest have confirmed the Reggae Orchestra as one to watch.

They are a collective of 40 local musicians, drawing their influences from reggae, ska, jazz and classical music, and include in their ranks professional musicians, students, hobbyists and session players, as well as those who have rarely played in public before. They play a compelling repertoire drawn from bravely crafted originals, many from talented composers in St Paul’s and the wider Bristol area, as well as reggae and ska classics from the likes of Bob Marley and Lord Tanamo.

Originally called ‘The St Paul’s Reggae Orchestra’, the group was renamed ‘The Bristol Reggae Orchestra’ mid-2010 to reflect its wider scope, although it still remains true to its roots in St Paul’s where it rehearses on a weekly basis.