Light of the World

Schedule

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026 at 09:00 pm

Location

Boisdale Restaurants (Canary Wharf) | London, EN

'True pioneers... a legendary live show' - Gordon Mac MBE, Mi-Soul Radio
Light of the World formed in London in 1978 and spent the next four years building the architecture of British jazz-funk, the sound that everything from Soul II Soul to Jamiroquai would later build on. Their 1980 album Round Trip charted in the UK and that same year "London Town" and "I Shot the Sheriff" both hit the Top 40. The original collective was so fertile it eventually split three ways, with Jean-Paul Maunick going on to found Incognito and other members forming Beggar & Co. That lineage is the context, not a footnote.
Today the band is led by Gee Bello and Mel Gaynor, whose combined CVs span George Michael, Kathy Sledge, Simple Minds and David Bowie. In 2020 they returned with Jazz Funk Power, produced by Nigel Martinez, which spent six weeks at number one on the UK Soul Charts. The album is available on the night and the band are still writing and recording, which puts them in a different category from acts running purely on legacy.
Live they field an eight-piece: two vocalists, keys, bass, guitar, trumpet and a horn section, which is how this music is supposed to sound. Expect "London Town", "I Shot the Sheriff", "No.1 Girl", "Time", "Pete's Crusade", "Ride the Love Train" and tracks from Jazz Funk Power across two 45-minute sets. Forty-five years in, the rhythm section still does the work.
BOISDALE OF CANARY WHARF
Best Spirits List in the World 2022 at The World Of Fine Wine
Top Ten restaurant wine lists in London 2022 at The World Of Fine Wine
Perched elegantly above Cabot Square, Boisdale of Canary Wharf offers a multi-dimensional experience across two floors. With Jools Holland as Patron of Music, it is celebrated for its dedication to live performances, with daily live music creating the perfect ambience in the second-floor restaurant.
The venue features a refined restaurant, four exclusive private dining rooms, the distinguished 1st floor bar, an extensive whisky and wine selection, a sophisticated Cigar Lounge and an inviting Heated Garden Terrace - making it a haven for discerning patrons seeking the finest in dining, music and atmosphere. On weekends, the vibrant first-floor bar and terrace come to life with DJ Nights, adding another dimension to the Boisdale experience.
"London's number one jazz venue" Tatler
"Best Whisky Bar in the World" Whisky Magazine
"A carnivore's dream" Evening Standard
"Aged steaks are deemed incredible" Square Meal
"The world's most individualistic style bar & restaurant" Hot Tickets

Where is it happening?

Boisdale Restaurants (Canary Wharf), Amazon Locker-Rueben, Cabot Square, London, E14 4PX, United Kingdom
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