Ocean Floor
I am so excited to share with you the fruits of a beautiful collaboration I’ve been part of with the London Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble. The album is a live recording of a special concert we gave last year at LSO St. Luke’s as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Some of you were there and so I’m delighted that you’ll get to re-live that night again.
Over the course of a few years, Neil Percy (head of Percussion at LSO) commissioned three pieces from me (Forever, Tidal Warning and Ocean Floor Suite). Here’s what he had to say:
Neil Percy, LSO Percussion Ensemble:
“I first had the opportunity of working with Ayanna back in 2011 as part of the LSO’s ‘Soundhub’ scheme, which gives talented young composers an opportunity to work with, and have their music played by musicians from the LSO in a live concert. Ayanna’s piece featured her incredible talents not only as a composer, but her beautiful voice and amazing cello skills. I was completely blown away by her distinctive, individualistic talents, and made a point of saying to Ayanna there and then, ‘I’m sure we will collaborate together again in the future’. Incredibly, that dream has come true with Ayanna writing pieces specifically commissioned for the LSO Percussion Ensemble that not only showcase the talents of the group and the amazing Gwilym Simcock, but give us the opportunity to perform with Ayanna again. This is always such a joy; making music with such a dear friend, and bringing this music to life as a collective.”
The album is called Ocean Floor and it explores my ancestral heritage, culture and identity and draws on the symbolism of the ocean, blurring the boundaries between chamber music, jazz, soul and classical music.
The album is out now on all streaming platforms and physical CDs.
