Marlon Hibbert, an award-winning steelpan artist, and the first steelpan player to study at Trinity Laban, has been awarded the Fela Kuti Scholarship.
The Fela Kuti Scholarship is awarded in memory of the Trinity Laban alum, political activist and musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The scholarship is generously funded by Partisan Records and supported by The Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Estate.
Marlon Hibbert is an award-winning steelpan artist, composer, arranger, musical director and educator from south east London, and the first musician to graduate from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama performing on steelpan. He is now studying for his master’s degree, as well as teaching at Trinity Laban. His music brings jazz, calypso and steelpan tradition into contemporary fusion, shaped by his identity as a Black British artist of Caribbean heritage.
A 2026 Serious Take Five artist, he features on Here Because of Hope, the UK No. 1 album by Mercury Prize-winning Ezra Collective, and recorded on Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan by Zara McFarlane. He has musically directed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Centre, and performed at the BBC Proms with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. He is the founder of Croydon’s Endurance Steel Orchestra and is working towards his debut record, Find a Way.
Marlon said: “To be accepted onto this scholarship is a tremendous honour, particularly as someone representing an instrument of Caribbean descent that remains relatively underrepresented within jazz spaces. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring my voice and perspective to Trinity Laban, and I look forward to embracing the wealth of collaborative opportunities available here.”