What Shapes a Soul

If you are looking for something a bit different to do in Brighton this month, there is a musical event coming up at St Mary's Church on Saturday, 23 May 2026, called What Shapes a Soul. It is essentially a concert that traces the evolution of spiritual music, moving from American gospel and hymns back to their roots in African folk traditions. It is part of a wider UK tour, and it is interesting to see how they have structured the programme to bridge these different styles.

The performance is split into two distinct halves. The first part leans into more contemporary sounds, featuring pieces like Steven Banks' Come As You Are, alongside Come Sunday and a selection of songs by Sam Cooke. It is a mix that covers quite a bit of ground stylistically. Then, for the second half, the focus shifts towards the origins of this music. You can expect to hear spirituals by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, some New Orleans jazz, and a finale that draws on the Suite after Abel Selaocoe.

It is a collaborative effort involving a fairly large group of musicians. The piano parts are covered by Jo Foote, Richard Pearce, Iain Clarke, Leo Nicholson, and Jonathan Musgrave, while the saxophone sections feature Christian Forshaw, Mick Foster, and Samuel Beddard. Regarding the logistics, the event takes place at St Mary's Church, located at 61 St James' Street, BN2 1PR. There is a slight discrepancy in the reported start times between sources, with some suggesting 18:30 and others 19:30, so it might be worth double-checking that closer to the date if you plan on going. Tickets are priced at £5.00 for concessions and £10.00 for standard entry, making it a fairly accessible option if you are interested in exploring this blend of classical, gospel, and folk influences.