LIKE 1990s cartoon characters Pinky and the Brain, music promoter Malinnga Tejan-Sie is a man with grand ambitions.

The resident of Essex Road, Islington, is about to put on his biggest concert to date – a Bob Marley and the Wailers-themed show at the 5,100-capacity HMV Hammersmith Apollo.

And the self-styled “struggling musician” – who openly admits his struggle is simply to learn how to play – wants to give the audience a night to remember.

Malinnga, 30, said: “I got into live music to raise the bar. I used to go to live music nights and they didn’t quite cut it.

“I want to bring together the very best musicians and performers and take it to another level. I want people who come to my show to experience something they have never experienced before.”

Malinnga has been organising bar and club nights since he was 19 years old and currently puts on a monthly event, Close Up, at the Old Queen’s Head, in Essex Road.

His upcoming extravaganza, Salute to the Wailers, was previewed at the trendy Islington nightspot last week - but the real thing, which takes place on October 25, will be on a much grander scale.

String and brass sections, dancers and live visuals will support acts such as Perfect Purple, Dionne Reid and Caspian, who will cover 30 classic Bob Marley and the Wailers songs between them.

And there will be a very special guest, in reggae legend and former Wailers backing vocalist Marcia Griffiths.

Malinnga says it will be “more than just a tribute”.

“It’s a musical documentation of the life of Bob Marley and the Wailers,” he said.

The promoter, who works a day job at Connexions Direct, where he helps to give careers advice to young people, says music is what keeps him going.

He said: “Music is my therapy. It’s my way of dealing with the nine-to-five. If I didn’t have music I don’t think I could cope with it.

“The biggest thrill I get is seeing people smiling to a show.”

And with a mischievous chuckle, he added: “I want to take over the world through live music!”

Salute to the Wailers: The Story of Jamaica’s First Super Group is at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Monday October 25.