Price: £12 (excl. fees)

We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of a brilliant new book, Manny and the Baby, with a special evening of music and conversation. Author Varaidzo talks to Marisa Bate about the novel’s settings of modern day Bath and 1930s London; the central role that jazz plays throughout the story and the themes of family relationships, enduring love and what it means to be Black and British, now and in the past. 

They will be joined on stage by the fabulous Orphy Robinson, award winning British jazz multi-instrumentalist playing music, inspired by the book, to evoke the spirit of a 1930s jazz club. 

‘Varaidzo is the future, and Manny and the Baby is a book for the ages.’ Nikesh Shukla

Varaidzo is a writer, editor, and artist. She was previously the Digital Editor at Wasafiri, and the Arts & Culture Editor at gal-dem. Her short story ‘Bus Stop’ was shortlisted for the Guardian 4thWrite Prize 2018. She is a contributor to the bestselling anthology The Good Immigrant (Unbound, 2016) and the romance anthology Who’s Loving You (Trapeze, 2021). She has presented radio shows for BBC Radio 4, Reprezent Radio, and Worldwide FM, and moonlights as a podcast producer.

Orphy Robinson has a 40 year career that includes nominations and numerous prestigious industry awards and is one of a select few UK musicians to have been signed to the Historic USA Jazz label ‘Blue Note.’ He has appeared on over 100 recordings & performed with many acclaimed artists such as Don Cherry, The Jazz Warriors, Wadada Leo Smith, William Parker, Jean Luc Ponty, Marshall Allen, Sun Ra Arkestra & Nigel Kennedy.

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