Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was the first musician of colour to become a superstar in 20th century Britain, says Phil Hebblethwaite, and then he all but disappeared from view. Who was he and why is it taking so long for us to recognise what he achieved, against impossible odds?
In August, 95-year-old American composer George Walker had his first-ever piece performed at the Proms, as part of a concert that became the breakout story of the festival. In his own way, he’s as radical and pioneering as Nina Simone, who was famously refused entry to the same music school that Walker had already graduated from
Heavenly Recordings recently celebrated a quarter of a century of excellent records and misbehaving by taking the likes of Mark Lanegan, Duke Garwood, Toy and the Heavenly Films up to Hebden Bridge. Rob St John was on hand to report, and Neil Thomson to take the photos