Jamaican-born Councillor Sheik G.L. Thompson is the new Mayor of Haringey in north-east London.
Councillor Thompson is a professional jazz musician who has played with some of Britain's most famous groups and toured with his own bands all over the world.
Mr. Thompson, who represents the Tottenham Hale ward, took over the chains of office at the annual meeting of the council on May 21. Jamaica's Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sharon Saunders, and community relations officer, Delores Cooper, attended the ceremony.
Councillor Thompson was born in Jamaica to what, he said, was a strong, musically and politically active family.
He grew up in New York where his interest in jazz began, and settled in London in 1955 after coming to the U.K. on active service in the United States Air Force.
"It's a real honour to be elected mayor, and I'm looking forward to working for all the people of Haringey, wherever they live, and whatever their background," he told his first meeting of the council.