Ahead of her Symphony Hall solo debut on the 12th April, we caught up with Ayanna Witter-Johnson to get a bit of an insight into the person behind the name.
How did you get into music?
At the very beginning I started learning the piano at 4, and I later picked up the Cello around 12/13 years old. Music was always in the house, my father was a DJ and an actor, and I always played an instrument.
What made you choose the Cello?
I was quite advanced at Piano and I wasn’t learning anything at secondary school and my teacher thought I should start something new so I had a bit of a challenge! I had a long instrument list, and I took it home one day and my mum was like “No drums, no brass, no woodwind in the house. Just strings.” So I was like okay, the double bass seems a bit big, I don’t know what a viola is really, and my hands seem a bit big for the violin!
How did you transition into the composition and arrangement side of what you do?
I had a passion for French and Spanish initially, and I missed my grades to get into my Uni of choice so I took a gap year, and during that time I ended up at a Jam session and felt like I wanted to take part but I didn’t do it. I went back after I had written this Nina Simone-esque song, and it went down really well, and I figured maybe I should pursue music in terms of my career choice.
I applied for Trinity College of Music at the time, now Trinity Laban, and again it was a process of elimination, I don’t want to be an opera singer, or a classical pianist, or a classical cellist, what can I do here that makes any sense? So I applied to the composition course to learn to write music and do what I wanted to do.
That was kind of the start of my career in music, where I made a lot of friends and contacts and really stepped out into the musical world.
How would you describe your style of performance, and your style of composing and arranging?
I would call it kind of eclectic orchestral R&B, very much singer cellist, percussive soulful songs.
Arrangement wise, a hint of reggae, contemporary classical, and elements of Jazz. It is a fusion and a half!
What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
A few really great things have happened. Realising I wanted to be a performer, and being the only non-American to win Amateur Night Live at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York was one of the major turning points. Arranging for BBC Concert Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. Touring with Anoushka Shankar and Courtney Pine were also amazing experiences.
I can’t pick, those can all go in the pot!
Have you had a standout performance?
I had the privilege of being part of a very special show at Southbank at the Royal Festival Hall to commemorate the life of Maya Angelou. I met her in New York one New Years Day. That meeting was life changing for me, and playing at that event was amazing. That show was everything.
Who has inspired you?
Maya Angelou, Bjork, Steeley Dan, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Oprah, James Baldwin, Kendrick Lamar. Too many people to count!
What can people expect from your show?
They can expect powerful songs, you will probably see me play the cello like you’ve never seen a cello played before. Very kind of soulful and blues-led, bluesey cello playing. A rich sonic landscape of emotional textures.
What is next for you? Anything exciting you can share with us?
It was celebrating 100 years of Ella Fitzgerald last year, and I just released an EP of remixes of my favourite songs of hers. I am releasing my debut album this summer, and I’ll be back in Birmingham more importantly on the 14th August for the Flyover Festival! I did a support slot maybe 4 or 5 years ago in Birmingham, but that was the last time I perfomed in the city, this will be my first real headline show in Birmingham. I am so so excited! I cannot wait!
There is also a wonderful documentary on Radio 4 that is on iPlayer called Portrait of an Artist. It features my dad, the process of how to write a song and about being an artist.
Have you got any words of advice or encouragement for people looking to break into the creative arts?
I would say focus on cultivating your authenticity, explore who you are uniquely and embrace that!
