Ayanna Witter-Johnson
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.
An artist on the rise, MOBO Award-nominated Ayanna has been championed by icons from Gilles Peterson to Jools Holland and has collaborated and toured with musical legends including Andrea Bocelli, Peter Gabriel, Nitin Sawhney and Anoushka Shankar, co-writing and featuring on her single 'Those Words' from the Grammy-nominated ‘Love Letters’ EP.
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).
Ayanna has released five EPs (‘Truthfully’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘Ella, Reuben & Ay’, ‘Rise Up’ & ‘Colour War’) and put out her debut album ‘Road Runner’ in 2019, with its two subsequent singles’ Nothing Less’ and ‘Crossroads’, via her own independent record label, Hill and Gully Records.
A celebrated composer, Ayanna has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, Chineke! Orchestra,Guerzenich Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra amongst numerous chamber ensembles. Her composition FAIYA! was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle in Trafalgar Square. Recent honours include the Nordoff and Robbins O2 Silver Clef Classical Award (2023) and an RPS & AIM Awards ‘Best Live Performer’ nominations.
Venturing into new territories, Ayanna was cast in a cameo role in the Amazon Prime series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s ‘Anansi Boys’, alongside greats such as Whoopi Goldberg.
Ayanna is a performer of extraordinary versatility, due to her musical prowess, mesmerising vocals, non-compromising lyrics, and ability to deftly reinterpret songs on the cello. Her must-see live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a female artist in the 21st century.
Released in September, her latest album, ‘New Roots’, is an intimate world born in solitude, but shaped by lineage, memory and deep listening. Cementing Ayanna's status as a musical polymath and world-builder, the record delves into her Caribbean heritage and spiritual practice, imbuing her exploratory, soul-leaning sound with the colour of jazz and groundedness of folk storytelling.
“Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a powerhouse solo force…this whole album (New Roots) is a spiritual wonder, a church in and of itself, sanctified ground where the ghosts of music past dance and sing with the modernist future. Ayanna has played a blinder here; a queen’s chess move. Long may she reign.” Louder Than War ★★★★
“Any new album from Ayanna Witter-Johnson is something to be warmly embraced...New Roots presents a soul-stirring collection of songs” Jazzwise ★★★★
“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 cello-playing.” Time Out
“Ayanna is a unique talent, as a songwriter, a voice, and an instrumentalist. Towering technical artistry with heartbreaking soul. The real deal.”Riz MC
“Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s Rise Up EP is an invigorating journey that fearlessly takes us from the roots of pain to highs of prosperity.” The British Black List
“Ayanna Witter-Johnson is THE definition of eclectic soul - a singer, songwriter, cellist, composer, producer and arranger with phenomenal musical prowess, mesmerising vocals, uncompromising lyrics and mastery of the cello.’” Subba Culture
"Based on voice alone, Ayanna Witter-Johnson has something. Add her mastery of the cello and songwriting chops into the equation and she is dangerously talented." The House That Soul Built
![AWJ_B_11477[Jordan Woods].jpg copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a68a6844c0dbfc42045be4b/1790931531963-ZI9OKHVB8VZY2CYGD71Q/AWJ_B_11477%5BJordan+Woods%5D.jpg+copy.jpg)
![05 - Ayanna Witter-Johnson [Jordan Woods] 7.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a68a6844c0dbfc42045be4b/1790931615180-IAJ8VIFARHZLHR0DTWVT/05+-+Ayanna+Witter-Johnson+%5BJordan+Woods%5D+7.jpg)
Contact
For publishing and licensing enquiries contact:
Mail: faberalt@fabermusic.com