YolanDa Brown
| YolanDa Brown | |
|---|---|
 YolanDa Brown,Saxophonist |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yolanda Faye Brown |
| Born | 4 October 1982 Barking, east London, England |
| Genres | Jazz, Urban Contemporary, R&B, Gospel |
| Instruments | Tenor, Soprano and Alto Saxophone |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Website | yolandabrown.co.uk |
YolanDa Brown born to Jamaican parents in Barking, London, England (4 October 1982)[1] is a British jazz urban contemporary saxophonist and composer.[2][3]
A past student of Bancroft's School, Beal High School and the University of Kent, Kent Business School[4] in Canterbury, England. Her Undergraduate Master's Dissertation was on "Combining SSM (Soft systems methodology) and DESM (Discrete event simulation) in an Athletics Club."[5] She also fronted a TV talk show on a Sky Channel and appeared in inspirational idents for BET network.(Black Entertainment Television)
She is a 2008 MOBO“Best Jazz” winner[6] and UMA[7] nominee. In 2009, YolanDa became the first musician to not only be nominated in the "Best Jazz" category of the MOBO's in consecutive years, but also the first to win it two years running. In 2009 she also won "Best Jazz" at the UMA's.
YolanDa has worked with musicians such as Monty Alexander, Ramon Vallé,[8] Michel Camilo, Hilario Duran, Dean Fraser, Sonny Bradshaw,[9] Otis Williams and the Temptations along with their manager Shelly Berger.[10]
As a solo artist/saxophonist has worked in genres from straight ahead jazz to grime, performing front and centre alongside various artists including Sway DaSafo, Bashy, Omar Lye-Fook, Soweto Kinch, Alexander O'Neal, Mica Paris, Terri Walker, Dean Fraser, Sonny Bradshaw and Desi Jones,[11] to name but a few. In late 2008, she toured the UK, opening for The Temptations.
YolanDa's pivotal performances of 2010 included an invitation to take part in PanJazz 2010 on its transfer from the Lincoln Center in New York to the UK[12] This saw her performing alongside musicians including Etienne Charles and Leon Foster Thomas.[13] Her 19 November concert at Indig02 at the 02 Arena, London continued her record of musically excellent and uniquely entertaining sold out events.[14]
On 2 December 2010, YolanDa was presented with an Honorary Doctor of the Arts by the University of East London[15] in a ceremony at the Barbican Theatre, London.
For YolanDa music has always been a theraputic and enabling force which promotes 360 degree communication and empowering links across all humankind. In striving to share and involve the many rather than an elite few through the wonder of music, YolanDa was honoured to become a Celebrity Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales and His Prince’s Trust Charity.
YolanDa is a Yamaha endorsed artist[16] and was also appointed the UK's class band ambassador in February 2011. Yamaha Class Band is a whole-class wind band teaching method, currently being piloted, until July 2012, in a collaboration between Yamaha UK and two of the UK's leading music services.[17]
YolanDa is also a Patron of The Mayor of London’s Fund for Young Musicians,which provides outstanding progression and development opportunities to young people who demonstrate significant musical talent and commitment.[18]
In February 2012 YolanDa released her first album. Remaining an independent artist, YolanDa kicked off a UK and overseas tour in support of the album with two benchmark concerts at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo accompanied by her full band and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] EP’s and Albums
- A Step Closer (2008 EP release – Black Grape Productions)
- April Showers May Flowers (Feb.2012 Album release – Black Grape Records)
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Category | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Awards | |||
| 2008 | WIEA Awards | Best Musician 2008 | Won |
| Urban Music Awards | Best Jazz Act 2008 | Nominated | |
| Music of Black Origin Awards | Best Jazz Act 2008 | Won | |
| 2009 | Marlborough Jazz Festival | Best Performer 2009 | Won |
| Urban Music Awards | Best Jazz Act 2009 | Won | |
| Urban Music Awards | Most Inspiring Act 2009 | Nominated | |
| Music of Black Origin Awards | Best Jazz Act 2009 | Won | |
[edit] References
- ^ All About Jazz. "YolanDa Brown All About Jazz Page". Allaboutjazz.com. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/yolandabrown. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ Grant, Dionne (20 July 2008). "Britain's hottest new sax symbol". The Voice. http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=13929. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
- ^ Myers, Maxine (18 March 2008). "In celebration of my sisters". The Voice. http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=13186. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ PhD Poster Presentation 07/08[dead link]
- ^ Meld je aan of registreer je om een reactie te plaatsen! (29 November 2008). "YolanDa Brown Wins "Best Jazz" MOBO Awards 2008". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9XNoN55QPs. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Urban Music Awards". Urban Music Awards. 22 August 2011. http://www.urbanmusicawards.net/. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "<< welcome at the website of Ramón Valle >>". Euronet.nl. http://www.euronet.nl/users/ultramar/index2.html. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "Shelly Berger Honored for Accomplishments in Talent Management". 24-7pressrelease.com. 3 February 2010. http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/shelly-berger-honored-for-accomplishments-in-talent-management-135417.php. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Jamaica Gleaner News – Desi Jones well 'Skooled' in drumming – Sunday | June 24, 2007". Jamaica-gleaner.com. 24 June 2007. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070624/ent/ent2.html. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ http://panjazz.com/
- ^ http://panjazz.com/images/anancystories.jpg
- ^ "Yolanda Brown: Live at the IndigO2 & Interview | MOBO Awards". Mobo.com. http://www.mobo.com/news-blogs/yolanda-brown-live-at-the-indigo2-interview. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "University of East London". UEL. 13 January 2012. http://www.uel.ac.uk/. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "YolanDa Brown – Yamaha – UK and Ireland". Uk.yamaha.com. http://uk.yamaha.com/en/artists/brass_woodwinds/yolanda_brown/. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Welcome – Yamaha Music in Education – UK & Ireland". Yamahamusiceducation.co.uk. http://www.yamahamusiceducation.co.uk/. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "The Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians". Mfym.org.uk. 14 March 2011. http://mfym.org.uk/. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
[edit] External links
- YolanDa Brown Website
- YolanDa Brown interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul', June 2009
- Brown EPK for April Showers, May Flowers Feb 2012(video)
- YolanDa on BBC South East News – Feb 2012 (video)
- YolanDa Brown wins MOBO for the second year in a row(video)
- YolanDa Brown performs Lady live (video)
- YolanDa Brown on BBC Woman’s Hour, Feb 2012
