The King of Kingston Carnival

How did one man bring the vibrant energy of carnival to a sleepy town in Greater London?

When John Azah arrived in the UK from Ghana in the 1970s, he yearned for the rhythm that sustained him back home. That longing became the Kingston Carnival, a now yearly celebration of Afro-Caribbean and Asian-influenced music and community. Every September, the town's streets come alive with music, colour and crowds.

Aisha Antwi, a fellow Kingston resident, meets John as he prepares for the carnival’s 25th anniversary.

Commissioned in association with the Multitrack Audio Producers Fellowship for new talent in feature-making.

Produced & Presented by Aisha Antwi
Mixed by Mike Woolley
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Photograph of John Azah by Laurie Fletcher.

A BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab.