A new exhibition at Suffolk Libraries celebrating 500 years of black British music is now on display. 

'Beyond the Bassline' has been brought to Suffolk by the British Library and is the first event of it's kind.

The exhibit, running until the end of Black History Month in October, is on show at Ipswich Library and Gainsborough Community Library.

Suffolk Libraries is part of the The Living Knowledge Network, which partners with the British Library to bring extraordinary displays to libraries around the country.

Suffolk Libraries and Aspire Black Suffolk have teamed up to create an interactive record wall at the Ipswich site. 

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This special exhibit showcases black British musicians with previously collected interviews.

Melissa Matthews, Suffolk Libraries cultural programmes manager, said: The power of storytelling and hearing each musician’s path into music has been truly inspiring to pull together, it has felt so meaningful to be able to revisit our archive of interviews from over the years and spotlight the local talent who live and work in Suffolk."

A variety of local musicians -- including Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, founder of the Chineke.

A record featuring an interview with Aspire Black Suffolk about their work will soon be added.

Gainsborough Community Library also sports a smaller display in conjunction and held an event on Tuesday. 

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Activities included dance workshops, music remix sessions and a creative play workshop where families can build community nightclubs out of cardboard.

Suffolk Libraries also plans to package the display into an educational resource to be offered to libraries, schools, and community groups in Suffolk.

Tonia Wilson, director at Aspire Black Suffolk, said: “Aspire Black Suffolk are thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with Suffolk Libraries.

"Watch this space - exciting things for little Ipswich.”