28/07/2026
Alex Wilson & Gwyn Jay Allen: 'I Love Louis' | Sun 11 Oct 4pm & 7.30pm | book now!
The great Alex Wilson returns for his eighth appearance at No28, joined this time by fabulous singer Gwyn Jay Allen - hurry to secure your ticket! NB there are TWO shows on Sun 11 Oct: one at 4pm and one at 7.30pm. Click on the link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwynn-jay-allen-and-alex-wilson-i-love-louis-tickets-1994123840086?aff=oddtdtcreator
What happens when the spirit of New Orleans meets the storytelling traditions of West Africa? Gwyn Jay Allen has the answer. This travelling troubadour brings stories from a rich diasporic experience, weaving gospel-tinged jazz with raw, rhythmic storytelling in an unforgettable night of music.
Allen joins award-winning pianist and composer Alex Wilson for I Love Louis, a vibrant musical journey through the life and music of jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Collaborating since the 1990s, the duo blend electrifying jazz performance with storytelling, from The New Orleans Jazz Experience in Zürich to acclaimed performances in Melbourne and New York.
Allen has portrayed Armstrong with the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band at the London Palladium and performed at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. This new show goes deeper, revealing the man behind the smile while tracing jazz's extraordinary journey from Africa to New Orleans and back again, celebrating Armstrong's timeless songs and enduring global legacy.
Gwyn and Alex have just returned from a great weekend performing the Louis material in the Swiss Alps: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbOCEz3NbqD/
Gwyn Jay Allen joins award-winning pianist and composer Alex Wilson for I Love Louis, a vibrant musical journey through the life and music of jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Collaborating since the 1990s, the duo blend electrifying jazz performance with storytelling, from The New Orleans Jazz Experience in Zürich to acclaimed performances in Melbourne and New York.
Allen has portrayed Armstrong with the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band at the London Palladium and performed at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. This new show goes deeper, revealing the man behind the smile while tracing jazz's extraordinary journey from Africa to New Orleans and back again, celebrating Armstrong's timeless songs and enduring global legacy.
Gwyn Jay Allen — vocals & djembe. A British–Sierra Leonean vocalist with over three decades performing across jazz, soul, gospel, African music and musical theatre. First performed as Louis Armstrong on ITV's Stars in Their Eyes before 20 million viewers. Portrayed Armstrong live at The London Palladium on Sir Michael Parkinson's show with the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band, and was invited to perform the I Love Louis album at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York on Armstrong's 4 July birthday. Collaborated with actor Clarke Peters and historian Ricky Riccardi at the Bristol Jazz Festival. Featured alongside Romesh Ranganathan in the BBC's BAFTA-nominated The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan. Collaborations include Herbie Hancock, Maxi Priest, Jamiroquai and Basement Jaxx. "Allen is an accomplished musician with a great voice." — Gary Cardinez, Trinidad Express
Alex Wilson — musical director & piano. A British–Swiss pianist, composer and producer who has performed in over 60 countries. Featured guest with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Barbican; musical director on Rodrigo y Gabriela's world tour (Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House, Montreux Jazz Festival); further collaborations include Ernest Ranglin, Hugh Masekela and Courtney Pine. Grammy-nominated credits include Rodrigo y Gabriela's Area 52 and Amy Dickson's A Summer Place. BBC Jazz Award and 2018 LUKAS Award winner (European Jazz Artist of the Year). Songlines "Top of the World" Award for Mali Latino. Musical director and producer of I Love Louis — A Creole Tribute to Louis Armstrong. Alex spent the first year of his life in Freetown, where his grandfather Barthès Wilson served as Sierra Leone's Minister of Education. "A true world musician with an encyclopedic knowledge of African, Caribbean and Latin American music styles." — Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann
