US news correspondent's bongo drum house party sparks furious complaints from neighbours

 
CNN’s White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski, 41

A top US TV news correspondent’s Notting Hill house party was shut down by the authorities after guests started an African drum circle in the back garden.

Neighbours complained the “intoxicating rhythms” could be heard up to a mile away from the mansion owned by CNN’s White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski, 41, and her British-born former banker husband Kimbell Duncan, 50.

Residents called in Kensington & Chelsea’s noise enforcement team to silence the alcohol-fuelled bash in Pembridge Square which Ms Kosinski today admitted got “out of control”.

She today apologised and told friends she would make it up to neighbours by bringing them “cookies and lemonade” the next time she is in London.

A source who was at the party today told the Standard that Miss Kosinski made a last minute decision to hire the ten bongo drums and was delighted when the two delivery men stayed behind to teach guests how to play them.

He said: “They got people into groups and got each group playing one rhythm. Different groups would be playing different rhythms. There was a challenge to keep it going.

The Notting Hill home where the party was held Picture: Nigel Howard
Nigel Howard

“People who had never played the drums before were really getting into it.”

Friends of Ms Kosinski have revealed to The Standard that she feels “terrible” about the disruption and that in hindsight it was “rude”.

A close confidante of Miss Kosinski, who made Rolling Stone’s 2005 Hot List, said she did not want to be a problem to anyone.

She told them that things “got out of control” and that she feels “very silly about it”.

The friend, who was among the high-profile guests, told the Standard: “She doesn’t want to be Public Enemy number one. She’ll make it up to her neighbours next time she’s in London with some cookies and lemonade.

Drummers play the bongos at a party in Ibiza

“It was a mixture of a bit too much champagne and a warm summer’s night, which is a such rarity in London.

“I’m not sure what came over everyone. We were just having so much fun.”

One neighbour told the Standard: “The party was in the back garden and it was a very hot evening, so everyone’s windows were open. The noise level was unbelievable.

“The party was civil, but it was an unacceptable level of noise with African drums going on for over two hours.

“I was thrilled to bits when it stopped to be honest and I think the guests were too. There was no rhythm at all.”

But another neighbour said: “It sounded like a lot of fun - I wish I’d been invited.”

A spokesman for K&C said officers visited the property and the noise had ceased by 9.33pm.

Miss Kosinski and Mr Duncan, who used to be a managing director in London for the Japanese Mizuho Financial Group, declined to comment.

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