Richmond's Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, the renowned musician, has been selected as one of nine exceptional individuals to join Jesus College, Cambridge, as Visiting Fellows.

Chi-chi, who has lived in Richmond Borough for almost 30 years, has been a Principal bassist, chamber and soloist with many of Europe's leading orchestras.

The double bassist, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where she is a Professor and Fellow, is famously the founder, artistic and executive director of the Chineke! Foundation.

The Foundation's two orchestras and its community engagement work has been instrumental in creating opportunities for talented black and ethnically diverse musicians through concerts, commissioning new works, championing historical composers, and establishing scholarships with major UK conservatoires.

The Chineke! Junior Orchestra featured last year on Britain's Got Talent. The young musicians, aged 11-22, from across the country received rave reviews for their performance of a musical medley of classical and contemporary pieces.

In 2012 Barrie Gavin directed a documentary film about Chi-chi's career, Tales from the Bass Line, and in 2018 she featured on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs. As a broadcaster Chi-chi has presented documentaries for BBC Radio 3 and 4, Scala Radio and Classic FM.

Chi-chi featured in the powerlist of Britain's 100 Most Influential Black People in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and also in 100 Great Black Britons.

Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College, said the Visiting Fellows 'have all made an outstanding contribution to their respective fields'.

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