About the performance

Freedom Singer is a joyous journey through a landscape of unique stories that express singer-cellist Ayanna's experience as a 21st century woman and compare it to that of her 19th century ancestors. Her striking songs are a rich mix of both soul and classical music, held together by the strength of the blues.

Key Personnel

Martel Ollerenshaw- Manager
Ayanna Witter-Johnson- Composer, Performer (Voice, Cello)
Peter Edwards- Performer (Piano)
Neil Charles- Performer (Bass)
Andy Chapman- Performer (Drums)

Production Information

Running time at full length: 90 minutes

Suitable for all ages

Medium use of text

Use of live music

Does not require a clear understanding of English or another language

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for a Music venue / Club / Theatre

Number of people on tour: 5

Number of performers on stage: 4

Available to tour from October 2011 - October 2012

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

Facilitating songwriting workshops with youth and community groups as well as vocal performance coaching sessions or masterclasses.

Company History

In 2010 British cellist and singer Ayanna Witter-Johnson won the Amateur Night Live Competition at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, following in the footsteps of Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Gladys Knight and in 2011 will premiere a new commission at the Bath Festival.

In 2010, on a break from studies at the Manhattan School of Music, she undertook her first UK tour with her trio (Robert Mitchell on piano and Fraser Fifield on pipes, whistles and saxophones) and led residencies at Dartington, Wigmore Hall and Aldeburgh. Throughout 2008 Ayanna was a participant in the London Symphony Orchestra's Panufnik Young Composers Scheme which is designed to facilitate the development of orchestral writing for talented young composers and was an Emerging Artist in Residence (EAR) at London's Southbank Centre.

In the same year, collaborations with groundbreaking UK artists Courtney Pine and Nitin Sawhney were followed by a phenomenal debut opposite legendary US drummer Jack DeJohnette and South African diva Sibongile Khumalo at the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3. She also featured on 4Hero's album, Extensions, which was released in 2009.

Recent Productions / Tours

2011 - Commission for Bath Festival, 'Homage to Nina Simone', premiere performance on 30 May at Bath Festival.

2010 - UK Tour - Ayanna Witter-Johnson (composition, voice and cello) with pianist Robert Mitchell and Scottish piper and saxophonist Fraser Fifield, produced by Serious in association with Dartington.

2010 - Residency at Wigmore Hall with Ignite.

2010 - Residency at Aldeburgh.

Reviews

"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." Time Out, May 2009

"Ayanna Witter-Johnson, a huge talent, returning from a year in New York was in great voice - like a young Cassandra Wilson would have sounded if she also happened to be a fine cellist." Jazzwise Magazine, Aug 2010

"Ayanna consistently has her audience enthralled. Hers is not a typical R&B voice; instead we get something of a pop, classical and jazz hybrid...She savours every syllable she sings, pours feeling into every lyric. The listener cannot help but connect as a result...(she) keeps it truthful, varied and stimulating. She is one of those artists whose shows make the audience feel all the more intelligent for merely being in attendance." The Other Side Magazine, Aug 2009
"..the depth of passion in Witter-Johnson's delivery really galvanised the small but appreciative audience..A warm, wonderfully intimate and near perfect gig. The ideal antidote to a hectic day." Latest Music Bar, Aug 2009