young & ambitious
YolanDa Brown
Double award-nomitated Jazz saxophonist
Which genre of music do
you most enjoy playing?
I really like to play a fusion of
soulful-reggae sounds.
Do you compose many
of your own songs?
Yes. I do a few cover songs, but
I like to improvise and create my
own sound. My up-coming album
is all original material.
You had a successful debut EP
Finding My Voice. Are you
working on any other projects?
I have just released my second EP
A Step Closer. I am also currently
working on my new album to be
released in April 2009. I will be
working with Self Taught Beats
who produced many of my tracks.
You have previously worked
as a TV presenter; will you
consider doing more of this?
YOUNg AND AMBITIOUS I presented a talk show called
Esther on a sky channel, which
N
ot many people can claim Act in the MOBO Awards and The was about inspiring young
to have ‘found their voice’ Urban Music Awards 2008. women in business, but I want
through a saxophone, but to focus on my music for now.
for YolanDa Brown every note she What inspires your music?
plays is a reflection of her heart Everyday life experiences let me You also have two Masters
and a reflexion of her soul. Having convey my feelings through my degrees, and are studying for a
established herself as a unique music. Inspiration is everywhere. PhD. How do you fit it all in?
performer gracing stages world- I just go with the flow and take
wide with good looks and brains, How would you describe each day, and each event as it
the 26-year-old East Londoner your musical style? comes, really. I like to keep busy; I
is not your usual saxophonist. It’s conversational! It’s not over also teach the saxophone and am
Over the past two years she has complicated or too simple, but it’s involved in youth projects. I want
established herself as one of the something people can easily to be a positive role model for
UK’s most successful independent attach themselves too. people as well as a performer.
musicians – completing a world
tour and selling out gigs at the Jazz Why did you choose to How do you feel about being
Café and Pigallé Club in London. play the saxophone? nominated for a UMA and a
Her performances at comedy The saxophone pulls my music out MOBO Award?
shows, nightclubs and theatres from within, literally; and I felt the I feel honoured & privileged to be
has brought the saxophone to Tenor and Soprano let me express nominated for these awards; this is
places where it’s never usually myself the most. Through the the next step of my journey, really.
heard and made YolanDa stand saxophone, I found my voice. To be nominated for this specific
out in the male-dominated world of category ‘best Jazz’ means
instrumentalists. It’s quite rare for Did you have lessons? everything to me as it’s the music
a young woman to play the Tenor I started playing the sax at age I grew up on – I’m really happy! I
Saxophone as this instrument is 13 and had lessons for two years, just hope I win the awards now,
considered to be more masculine, after that I began teaching myself. although just being nominated, I
due to its deeper, huskier tone. As feel like a winner already.
a result of this, YolanDa is in great Is there another instrument
demand for live and studio work. you would like to play? MOBO AWARDS – 15 October
Flavour caught up with the UK’s I would love to be able to play at Wembley Arena
ds by Augusta Ettarh
premier female saxophonist for an the flute; it would be good to add The Urban Music Awards 2008
or exclusive chat on the eve of her different textures and many new – 7 November at The O2
W double nominations for Best Jazz contrasts to my performance.
myspace.com/missyolandabrown
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