Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Latest News on Ayanna Witter-Johnson:
Review: MY FATHER'S FABLE, Bush Theatre (Jun 25, 2024)
Photos: Inside Rehearsal For MY FATHER'S FABLE at the Bush Theatre (May 24, 2024)
Sitar Virtuosa Anoushka Shankar Brings Her New Quintet To The Soraya For One Night Only (Oct 12, 2023)
Review: MY FATHER'S FABLE, Bush Theatre (Jun 25, 2024)
Photos: Inside Rehearsal For MY FATHER'S FABLE at the Bush Theatre (May 24, 2024)
Sitar Virtuosa Anoushka Shankar Brings Her New Quintet To The Soraya For One Night Only (Oct 12, 2023)
BIO
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, pianist and cellist. She has a phenomenal mastery for seamlessly crossing the boundaries of classical, jazz, reggae, soul and R&B, to imprint her unique musical signature with her virtuosic tap, strum and bow with her cello into her sound and vibe.
After graduating with a first-class degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the Manhattan School of Music, Ayanna participated in the London Symphony Orchestra's Panufnik Young Composers Scheme. Soon after, as Emerging Artist in Residence at London's Southbank Centre, Ayanna performed as a featured artist with Courtney Pine's Afropeans: Jazz Warriors. Later, whilst studying in the USA at New York's Manhattan School of Music, she became the only non-American to win 'Amateur Night Live at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NYC.
As a composer, Ayanna has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, Güerzenich Orchester, Ligeti Quartet, Kronos Quartet and The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company to name but a few. She was also selected as an arranger/orchestrator for the London Symphony Orchestra (Hugh Masekela, Belief) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (Urban Classic). Her talent has seen her compose for the sold out, hit theatre production, ‘The Collaboration’, at London’s Young Vic Theatre (and MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York), and compose for the renowned documentary 'Hostile'.
Whilst releasing EP’s and her debut album ‘Road Runner’, Ayanna has extensively toured the UK and Europe, gaining a MOBO award nomination and receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1 & BBC 1Xtra. A performer of extraordinary versatility, her live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a female artist in the 21st century. Ayanna has collaborated and toured with artists as diverse as Akala, Riz MC, Nitin Sawhney, Anoushka Shankar and Andrea Bocelli. Currently working on her sophomore album Ayanna has recently appeared on Channel 4 (Sing It Loud: Black and Proud), BBC Proms and a stunning performance on Later…with Jools Holland (BBC 1)
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is the very definition of eclectic soul.
Videos
Video: First Look at Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope in THE COLLABORATION
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 19, 2022
News
Review: MY FATHER'S FABLE, Bush Theatre
If you're after tension, you'll find it aplenty in Faith Omole's new play at the Bush Theatre.
If you're after tension, you'll find it aplenty in Faith Omole's new play at the Bush Theatre.
Photos: Inside Rehearsal For MY FATHER'S FABLE at the Bush Theatre
My Father's Fable, a gripping story of grief, belonging, and a family on the edge opens at the Bush Theatre on 15 June. Check out rehearsal photos here!
My Father's Fable, a gripping story of grief, belonging, and a family on the edge opens at the Bush Theatre on 15 June. Check out rehearsal photos here!
Sitar Virtuosa Anoushka Shankar Brings Her New Quintet To The Soraya For One Night Only
Sitar virtuosa Anoushka Shankar brings her new quintet to The Soraya for one night only! Tickets start at $42.
Sitar virtuosa Anoushka Shankar brings her new quintet to The Soraya for one night only! Tickets start at $42.
Review: PETER GABRIEL I/O TOUR at Nationwide Area
Despite being 73, Gabriel keeps himself young and his concerts relevant by finding the right group of musicians, both old and new, to complement his style, adding artistic flair to make the product visually appealing, and slicing away for the realms of predictability.
Despite being 73, Gabriel keeps himself young and his concerts relevant by finding the right group of musicians, both old and new, to complement his style, adding artistic flair to make the product visually appealing, and slicing away for the realms of predictability.
Nitin Sawhney's JOURNEYS FESTIVAL Returns to the Royal Albert Hall
This October, renowned multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Nitin Sawhney is set to once more headline and curate the Journeys Festival, an eclectic five-day programme which returns to the Royal Albert Hall following the festival’s sell-out debut in 2021. The season also features an exhibition by photographer Alan Comptonand recitals from Indian classical musician Jasdeep Singh Degun and composer and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
This October, renowned multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Nitin Sawhney is set to once more headline and curate the Journeys Festival, an eclectic five-day programme which returns to the Royal Albert Hall following the festival’s sell-out debut in 2021. The season also features an exhibition by photographer Alan Comptonand recitals from Indian classical musician Jasdeep Singh Degun and composer and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Presents SHANKAR PLAYS SHANKAR
Family and tradition figure prominently in Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's season finale when sitarist Anoushka Shankar makes her LACO debut, under Music Director Jaime Martín's baton, with a performance of Concerto No. 3 for Sitar composed by her legendary father, the late Ravi Shankar, who brought the sitar into the mainstream through his pop music collaborations with The Beatles and others.
Family and tradition figure prominently in Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's season finale when sitarist Anoushka Shankar makes her LACO debut, under Music Director Jaime Martín's baton, with a performance of Concerto No. 3 for Sitar composed by her legendary father, the late Ravi Shankar, who brought the sitar into the mainstream through his pop music collaborations with The Beatles and others.
1880s 'Female Hysteria' Lectures Creatively Re-Enacted at Wigmore Hall by Héloïse Werner for International Women's Day
A series of controversial lectures on 'female hysteria' given in Paris in the 1880s by the leading French neurologist of his day will be creatively re-enacted in music by French-British soprano and composer Héloïse Werner on Wednesday 8 March, when she performs the world première of her new work Les Leçons du Mardi (Tuesday Lectures) with the Tippett String Quartet, at London's Wigmore Hall.
A series of controversial lectures on 'female hysteria' given in Paris in the 1880s by the leading French neurologist of his day will be creatively re-enacted in music by French-British soprano and composer Héloïse Werner on Wednesday 8 March, when she performs the world première of her new work Les Leçons du Mardi (Tuesday Lectures) with the Tippett String Quartet, at London's Wigmore Hall.
THE COLLABORATION Plays Final Broadway Performance
Following three extensions, the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre plays its final performance February 11, 2023, following 20 previews and 56 regular performances.
Following three extensions, the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre plays its final performance February 11, 2023, following 20 previews and 56 regular performances.
THE COLLABORATION Extends for a Final Time at Manhattan Theatre Club
A final extension has been announced for the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. See performance dates, how to purchase tickets and more.
A final extension has been announced for the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. See performance dates, how to purchase tickets and more.
THE COLLABORATION Extends for a Final Time Through Early February
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced a final extension for the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. See how to purchase tickets!
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced a final extension for the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. See how to purchase tickets!
THE COLLABORATION to Resume Performances on December 26
The Collaboration, which cancelled its opening night performance due to a case of Covid-19 in the cast, plans resume performances on Monday, December 26.
The Collaboration, which cancelled its opening night performance due to a case of Covid-19 in the cast, plans resume performances on Monday, December 26.
THE COLLABORATION Opening Night Performance Canceled
The Broadway opening night for The Collaboration has been canceled due to a case of Covid-19 in the cast detected during pre-show testing.
The Broadway opening night for The Collaboration has been canceled due to a case of Covid-19 in the cast detected during pre-show testing.
Review Roundup: Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope Star In THE COLLABORATION On Broadway
Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration, by special arrangement with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Anthology Theatre, Stanley Buchthal, and Denis O'Sullivan. The production opens tonight at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre! Read the reviews!
Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Broadway premiere of The Collaboration, by special arrangement with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Anthology Theatre, Stanley Buchthal, and Denis O'Sullivan. The production opens tonight at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre! Read the reviews!
Video: First Look at Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope in THE COLLABORATION
Get a first look at footage of Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of The Collaboration, starring Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope.
Get a first look at footage of Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of The Collaboration, starring Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope.
THE COLLABORATION Extends Through January 29 Ahead of Tomorrow's Opening
The Collaboration has announced an extension of one additional week of performances ahead of its opening night tomorrow, December 20, at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production will now play through Sunday, January 29, 2023.
The Collaboration has announced an extension of one additional week of performances ahead of its opening night tomorrow, December 20, at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production will now play through Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Photos: First Look at Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope in THE COLLABORATION
Get a first look at Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Collaboration, featuring Paul Bettany, Jeremy Pope, Krysta Rodriguez and Erik Jensen.
Get a first look at Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Collaboration, featuring Paul Bettany, Jeremy Pope, Krysta Rodriguez and Erik Jensen.
THE COLLABORATION Starring Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope Begins Performances Tonight
Performances begin tonight for the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Collaboration. Warhol. Basquiat. Electric, eccentric, polar opposites... together, for the first time in the most unlikely partnership the art world has ever seen.
Performances begin tonight for the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Collaboration. Warhol. Basquiat. Electric, eccentric, polar opposites... together, for the first time in the most unlikely partnership the art world has ever seen.
Double Bassist Ewan Hastie Wins Bbc Young Jazz Musician 2022
Twenty-year old Scottish double bassist Ewan Hastie has won BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022. The announcement was made during the broadcast of the Competition's Final on BBC Four on Sunday 20 November at 8PM, presented by Jamz Supernova and Huw Stephens, both DJs and broadcasters.
Twenty-year old Scottish double bassist Ewan Hastie has won BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022. The announcement was made during the broadcast of the Competition's Final on BBC Four on Sunday 20 November at 8PM, presented by Jamz Supernova and Huw Stephens, both DJs and broadcasters.
Photos: Jeremy Pope, Paul Bettany & THE COLLABORATION Company Get Ready for Broadway
Rehearsals are underway for the American premiere of The Collaboration, which will begin previews on Tuesday, November 29 ahead of a Tuesday, December 20 opening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The cast just met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big day. Check out photos from inside the rehearsal room!
Rehearsals are underway for the American premiere of The Collaboration, which will begin previews on Tuesday, November 29 ahead of a Tuesday, December 20 opening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The cast just met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big day. Check out photos from inside the rehearsal room!
BBC Young Jazz Musician Returns In November 2022
The biennial celebration of the most talented up-and-coming musicians on the British jazz scene, BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022 reaches its climax with a live final at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 November, when the five shortlisted finalists – aged 20 to 23 - showcase their talents accompanied by the acclaimed Nikki Yeoh's Infinitum trio.
The biennial celebration of the most talented up-and-coming musicians on the British jazz scene, BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022 reaches its climax with a live final at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 November, when the five shortlisted finalists – aged 20 to 23 - showcase their talents accompanied by the acclaimed Nikki Yeoh's Infinitum trio.
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