OLDHAMERS have the chance to get an introduction into the Roma and Romani Gypsy heritage and music.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Roma-led charity KaskoSan present Gypsy Jam – the first in a series of live music jam sessions exploring the rich lyrical and performance traditions of the Roma and Romani Gypsy cultures.

It is the first in a series of live jam sessions with acclaimed artists, Richard O'Neill and Juice Vamosi who will be joined on stage by special guest, rapper and world record breaking human beatboxer, Testament.

Together, through re-imagining traditional Roma and Romani Gypsy music and lyrics, Richard, Juice and Testament will bring to life their individual musical inspirations, and share stories and sounds in a live and lively jam session.

Richard O’Neill is a multi-award-winning storyteller, author and playwright born and raised in a large traditional nomadic Romani family, whose history in England and Scotland goes back hundreds of years.

Richard currently delivers sessions and storytelling skills workshops at schools, libraries, festivals, universities and theatres. He has a particular interest in using literature to promote inclusion and social mobility.

Richard said: “Gypsy music and storytelling has always brought people together right across the world and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to do the same in Oldham with Gypsy Jam.”

The Gypsy Jam project has already engaged over 200 Roma children and young people and their families in creative activity and built capacity in the community.

Juice Vamosi is a Roma gypsy, activist, interpreter, film maker. He grew up in a poor Roma community in Southern Hungary. He was the first of his family to earn a university degree and to advise presidents of the World Bank and the EU.

In 2010, he built the KaskoSan social network, the first global Roma brand supporting Roma families in Oldham.

The event takes place on Wednesday, September 1.