New Civil Nights Festival Launches Clarkson Campaign In Suffolk
Friday 22 May Civil Nights Festival Opening Night
Leee John Jazz Quartet and Support
St Mary's Church Woodbridge, Market Hill, Suffolk IP12 4LP.
Tickets from £10 - £17
Plus Multiple Events in venues around town from Friday 22 May to Sunday 14 June 2026.
Leee John, the platinum-selling lead singer of pioneering British black music act Imagination, is headlining the launch of a new Woodbridge Festival event in Suffolk. Starting Friday 22 May, the three-week series will celebrate Thomas and John Clarkson, renowned anti-slavery and peace campaigners that lived in Woodbridge and nearby Playford in Suffolk.
The star-studded line-up at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, will see Leee John appear with his new Jazz band, featuring Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor, Imagination and Sister Sledge pianist Dr. John Watson, Soweto Kinch and Jazz Warriors bassist Miles Danso and virtuoso Saxophonist Dave Mansell.
The night launches a campaign to celebrate the legacy of the Clarksons, who founded two of the world's first civil rights movements, campaigning for the abolition of slavery and world peace. Events at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, where John Clarkson is buried, will book-end the three-week festival.
There will be a further music, art and family events, as well as a Woodbridge Festival club night on Saturday 23 May at New Street Market.
The opening night on 22 May celebrates the foundation of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, co-founded by Thomas Clarkson on 22 May 1787. It will also launch a campaign for a space in Woodbridge where the Clarkson's contribution to civil rights can be permanently celebrated. The closing event, on Sunday 14 June, marks the 210th anniversary of the foundation of the world's first peace movement; co-founded by the Clarksons on 14 June 1816.
Thomas Clarkson was a founder and leading advocate in the movement that led to the abolition of the slave trade. His younger brother, John Clarkson, established Freetown in Sierra Leone, as a home for formerly enslaved African people. On returning to the UK John settled in Woodbridge, while Thomas lived in nearby Playford.
Project creator, Ben Osborne of Woodbridge Festival, says: "Woodbridge Festival is delighted iconic Brit Soul singer Leee John is joining us to launch our celebration of the Clarksons. Leee is the perfect artist for the opening night in the unique atmosphere of St Mary's. This will be a one-off event. The Clarksons were considered heroes at the time. William Wordsworth wrote a poem thanking Thomas for his work for humanity. But history is only just starting to give them due credit."
Nigel Phipps, Mayor of Woodbridge, says: "I'm delighted to support Woodbridge Festival's celebration of the town's connection to the Clarkson brothers, who created two of the first modern civil rights movements. I believe Woodbridge would benefit from a festival event in late Spring centred around Market Hill.”
Rachel Smith-Lyte, East Suffolk District Councillor, says: "William Wilberforce is usually given all the credit for the abolition of slavery, which isn’t accurate or fair. I'm glad to see this overdue celebration of our area's connection to the Clarkson brothers take shape. The Clarksons sought to change government policy and society from the grass roots up - to bring about the abolition of the slave trade and campaign for world peace."
Stephen Molyneux, East Suffolk District Councillor, says: "It’s fantastic to be able to support this event, highlighting Woodbridge being home to the Clarksons, who played such a huge role in bringing an end to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Woodbridge is home to an array of historical figures, but none so impacting as these lesser-known brothers."
Woodbridge Festival is grateful to Woodbridge Town Council and East Suffolk District Council for making these projects possible.
Leee John Jazzz new single release “ All In Your Eyes'” EP is out now: https://save-it.cc/leeejohn/all-in-your-eyes
Taken from the Leee John Jazzz EP out now: https://save-it.cc/leeejohn/leee-john-jazzz
www.leeejohn.com