Ayanna Witter-Johnson - Composer, Vocals, Cello, Piano + COWBELL!!!
Tom Cawley - Piano
Peter Edwards - Piano (video)
Andrew Chapman - Drums (video)
Guitar - Sam Carter
Tabla - Camilo Tirado
Flute - Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee
Influences
Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Bessie Smith, Stevie Wonder, Sounds of Blackness, Bela Bartok, Michael Jackson, Billie Holiday, Take 6, Bach, Flora Purim, Beethoven, Stockhausen, Earth Wind and Fire, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Branford Marsalis, Steely Dan, Britten, Quincy Jones, High Llamas, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Jill Scott, Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Anita Baker, Tchaikovsky, Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, Sarah Vaughan, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Wayne Shorter, Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Bill Evans, Sting, M-Base Collective, Charlie Parker, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Cannonball Adderley, Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Duke Ellington, Weather Report, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Charles Mingus, Pan-African Orchestra, Chick Corea, Mary J. Blige, The Stylistics, Diane Reeves, Herbie Hancock, India Arie, Aretha Franklin, Mariza, Sofia Gubaidulina, Kodaly.........
WORKING WITH COURTNEY PINE'S AFROPEANS
JAZZ:REFRESHED - MAU MAU'S
EAR: TAKEOVER
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a unique, captivating and talented young composer, song-writer, vocalist, cellist and pianist who has developed musically from a diverse background of mixed cultures.
She began playing the piano at an early age, later taking up the ‘Cello during her
teenage years and has just graduated with First Class Honours from Trinity College of Music studying Composition with Alwynne Pritchard and Classical ‘Cello with David Kenedy at Trinity College of Music, London. She has studied with John A. Thomas, Errollyn Wallen MBE, Andrew Poppy, Arranging with Paul Bartholomew and Orchestration with Stephen Montague and Classical ‘Cello with Sue Sutherley (LPO).
She has worked with composer, arranger, producer, musical director and saxophonist Jason Yarde as a vocalist, cellist and pianist in his ‘B-Trade’ ensemble alongside Julian Siegel, Seb Rochford and Neil Charles, performing at Glasgow Jazz Festival and City of London Festival and as assistant orchestrator on the landmark Urban Classic project which brought together leading UK Grime artists and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood. More recently she worked with Jason Yarde on the arrangements for Belief! – a project featuring legendary South African trumpeter and vocalist Hugh Masekela with the London Symphony Orchestra. Through the Panufnik Young Composers Scheme (2008), Ayanna again had the opportunity to work with the LSO, composing a short work which was workshopped by the orchestra.
In 2007, Ayanna became an emerging artist in residence (EAR) of the Southbank Centre after being chosen to be part of a project called Aftershock led by the ground-breaking composer and instrumentalist Nitin Sawhney. This residency culminates in ‘Takeover’ a full length show at the Royal Festival Hall (February 2009).
Ayanna was invited by Courtney Pine OBE to join his band ‘Afropeans’ as a vocalist and cellist for the recording of the live album ‘AFROPEANS’ at the Barbican. This was followed by a sold out residency at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club to launch its release. Last year, Ayanna started collaborating with jazz/folk star Gwyneth Herbert last year and was also seen supporting Jack DeJohnette and Sibongile Khumalo at the London Jazz Festival (2008).
Ayanna is currently composing for a new full-length opera and recently covered a song for Marc's (4Hero) new album. She will be touring the UK with Courtney Pine in March as well as continuing to write new material for her highly anticipated debut album, which is due for release in 2009.
Her radio credits include original material on Courtney Pine’s Jazz Crusade - BBC Radio 3, In Tune -BBC Radio 2 and the BBC Asian Network. In 2007, Ayanna was commissioned by the Liverpool Lighthouse to compose a choral piece for young vocalists in the Merseyside area to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
PRESS QUOTES
“..one of our rising stars of the future.” Courtney Pine
“What a VOCALIST!” Burnt Progress Records
“..great vocalist..” Financial Times
“The artist I am tipping for even bigger things in 2008 is the wonderful singer and composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. She’s always impressed me as a composer, whether for her excellent seven piece band, or performing as a solo artist, but the past few months have seen her take things to another level. Working alongside the likes of Jason Yarde and Courtney Pine her compositions have been performed by orchestras up and down the country, and being made an associate artist at the Southbank is yet another feather in her cap. I look forward to seeing her build on this further in the year to come.”
Will Gresford, The Vortex
“Ayanna Witter-Johnson…showed a tigerish confidence and a flexible jazz-R&B prowess on vocals. We’ll be hearing a lot more from her that’s for sure.”
Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise
“With cello and piano at her disposal as well as a strong, vibrant flexible voice, Ayanna Witter-Johnson has a great deal going for her… She has talent in abundance plus an engaging stage manner, so shouldn’t have to struggle too hard to establish herself in a somewhat overcrowded scene. Her original material is individual enough to be striking and her solo (cello-backed) visit to the..Police anthem ‘Roxanne’ hints at a refreshingly singular attitude to ‘covers’.
Chris Parker, Vortex Review
“There is much of beauty, especially in colour, texture (and) a certain spiritual quality throughout.”
Dominic Murcott
cellist and singer Ayanna Witter-Johnson has to be heard to be believed. Her self-assured style blends a honey-sweet vocal delivery with bewitching, and bewildering, cello-playing.
Mike Flynn Time Out
“Next up the gloriously gifted, singer songwriter (and historian!?) Ayanna Witter-Johnson, a young slip of a thing but a star in the making. Using her cello as a double bass, for maximum groove effect is a cool ploy and a perfect vehicle for her enticing work. Her emotive voice is a knockout delight, strong, sonorous and clear as a summer’s day!
'Ain’t I A Woman' inspired by the writings of a woman enslaved in the 19th century, epitomised the spiritual dimensions this girl is able to reach. With shades of Gershwin abound it's no wonder she is championed by Courtney Pine, who she recently worked with on the excellent yet criminally ignored 'Afropeans' album.
There’s something pleasingly refreshing about her approach helped by her natural stage presence and general bonhomie and she knows how to put a crowd at ease! Again Alex Webb helped out on Piano and has co-written some of her originals to startling effect. This girl bristles with soul and her melodic approach is versatile and inventive. She’s going places - has cello (and cowbell to boot) and will travel; believe me! A great night down at the Spice by two very different yet thoroughly engrossing singers. Top draw stuff!”
Blues & Soul Magazine EMRYS BAIRD
Hope all is well in the world of you. I wish you all the best to make good things happen. If you don't know already, The XY (Electro funk/pop) are releasing flight in sight on November the 16th. Slowly but surely the people are starting to take note of the X Why movement. Feel free to watch the video tell a friend leave a comment if you wish.
I'm Co Hosting The Dave Charles radio show this sunday (1st Nov) 102.3hfm from 19.00GMT, never co hosted a whole show before and a little nervous, so if you could listen in and show some support it would really appreciated x
Baaaahum-bug and much froZen Snot, to those that choose to rest to often. CRANK IT UP!... change the frequency, look for the switch, its there! To the one more powerful! this sound'n of "You" a bless'n, an equilibrium pressur'n, tidal wave display'n, longitudinal reach'n, from between ocean given mediums, come'n forth with much density, grace and strength, ever reach'n proportional elastic modulus speeds, with Harmonic physical properties, "its intensity sure", its kinetic energy oscillat'n with true direction. What could this be the unlisten'd give plea, the only sure respOnse majestically given, its the arising sound of creative greatness, out of thee, permiat'n thro' your hearts beat, as is forever believ'd and seen...thank YOU for being you... Robert Foster
....FRIZZ RECORDS is proud to announce our third LP release...
"Anutha Kinda Brotha" is the debut LP from underground legend ART TERRY. Since moving to the UK from his native Los Angeles in the early 90s, Mr Terry has established himself as one of London's characters.
Describing Art's sound to the uninitiated usually involves debunking some of the stereotypes of what the 'typical' black Californian might play. Despite his jazz training, and coming of age to the sounds of classic soul and funk, these styles are only a part of his musical vision. His fascination with folk styles, classical music, punk rock, pure pop, easy listening, musical theatre and the European avant garde have taken him on different paths from most...
The result is an orchestral pop record full of sonic inventiveness, whether it's the blend of Shuggie Otis's 60s California and Sun Ra's ancient Egypt on 'Bible', Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons leading a mariachi band on 'Escort', or the Walt Disney music box orchestra of 'Miss Dominatrix', but whilst this is very much a sonic feast, we shouldn't overlook Art's extraordinary lyrical adeptness, and the distinctive character this brings to the proceedings, with a knack for unique and colourful imagery, and how like a great short story writer he is able to paint an engaging picture whilst keeping back from casting judgement on his characters, always leaving open ends for the listener to tie; giving us the feeling that however far astray someone might have gone, there is always sympathy and human feeling for them in Art's mind...
aaaaaah, good day to ya my friend, A grand day flow'n be wished upon ya, welcome back from hermitz'ville, just returning from there ma'self. It'tis, always a welcomed gift, when receiv'n thoughts from this Lady seen. Do enjoy your day, with all, that you should create. Robert Foster
All are welcome to Come down share our celebration of 2 years at Blessed Souls on Oct 23rd at Enjoy the Caribbean food from the Blend Bar, with Open Mic with vibes from the MAC Band and feature Artist @ 111 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 4HY blessedsoulsuk@yahoo.com 07825604339 www.myspace.com/blessedsoulsuk Join Facebook Group 'BLESSED SOULS UK'
"'Mr. Ears' sounds immense. Great solos, beautiful touch and wonderfully melodic...and the writing is brilliant." - Laurence Cottle
Hey! My world jazz fusion debut album 'Mr. Ears' is available to buy from TODAY! Just visit www.caimarlegarcia.com to purchase and for more information on the album and me!
HELLLO.. how on earth are you? i hope you're having a wicked time and the yanks are loving your tunes. but i also hope that it's rubbish so you come back here and playing with us again... are they enjoying your music? are you enjoying your music? much love ayanna.. keep it real.. don't become american. no offence to americans.
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
