Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a talented cellist, singer, and songwriter who has captivated audiences with her unique blend of classical and contemporary music. On her music page, visitors will find a collection of her works that showcase her versatility and versatility as a musician. From soulful ballads to energetic orchestral pieces, Ayanna’s music page is a must-visit for anyone who loves classical and contemporary music. With her powerful voice and virtuosic cello playing, Ayanna creates an unforgettable musical experience for her listeners. Whether you’re a fan of classical music or are looking for something new and exciting, Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s music page is the perfect place to start.
Latest Releases
Check out some of the latest releases from Ayanna
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‘Road Runner’, my debut album is my hustle as an artist. An expression of my road, my journey – physically, emotionally and historically. Each song is a memory of what has given me the strength to become who I am today, and I hope that the music will ignite something in your soul and encourage you to rise up within yourself and live the life you want to live.
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‘Truthfully’ is an intimate journey through a landscape of unique stories that express singer-cellist Ayanna’s experience as a 21st century woman, drawing upon the stories of Sojourner Truth, personal relationships, female experiences and hope as inspiration.
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In 2020 I came to recognise even more that the only certainty in life is change and that relationships with family and friends are incredibly important, and must be nurtured. I’ve also come to more deeply appreciate my ability to create as an artist and have been really energised with the recent collaborations I have been a part of, some coming about because creatives have especially wanted to reach out during these testing times. For me 2021 will be a year where I will extend those collaborations and share my artistry as I delve into new ways of connecting with fans, friends and loved ones particularly with the possibility of lockdown continuing for an extended period of time.
This EP is an inspiring coupling of songs that I hope will lift your spirits for the start of a new year.
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Celebrating 100 years of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald! (2017)
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Collaborations
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a highly sought-after collaborator, known for her ability to bring her unique style and approach to a wide range of musical projects. Her collaborations span a diverse range of genres, from jazz and soul to hip-hop and electronic music, and have included work with artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Courtney Pine, and Richard Bona. Witter-Johnson’s ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and traditions has made her a go-to collaborator for artists looking to create something fresh and innovative. With her rich harmonies, powerful vocals, and virtuosic cello playing, Witter-Johnson has made an indelible mark on the world of contemporary music, collaborating with some of the most exciting and influential artists of our time.
Concerts
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a highly sought-after collaborator, known for her ability to bring her unique style and approach to a wide range of musical projects. Her collaborations span a diverse range of genres, from jazz and soul to hip-hop and electronic music, and have included work with artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Courtney Pine, and Richard Bona. Witter-Johnson’s ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and traditions has made her a go-to collaborator for artists looking to create something fresh and innovative. With her rich harmonies, powerful vocals, and virtuosic cello playing, Witter-Johnson has made an indelible mark on the world of contemporary music, collaborating with some of the most exciting and influential artists of our time.
FAIYA! (for Large Symphony Orchestra)
Commissioned and performed by LSO On Track & Guildhall School Musicians with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle
DreamCity (for String Orchestra)
Commissioned and performed by the LSO East London Academy & the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle
Mento Mood (for String Quartet)
Commissioned and performed by Ligeti Quartet
TV & Film
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a highly sought-after collaborator, known for her ability to bring her unique style and approach to a wide range of musical projects. Her collaborations span a diverse range of genres, from jazz and soul to hip-hop and electronic music, and have included work with artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Courtney Pine, and Richard Bona. Witter-Johnson’s ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and traditions has made her a go-to collaborator for artists looking to create something fresh and innovative. With her rich harmonies, powerful vocals, and virtuosic cello playing, Witter-Johnson has made an indelible mark on the world of contemporary music, collaborating with some of the most exciting and influential artists of our time.
The Global Playground
A co-production between Manchester International Festival and Theatre-Rites
A group of dancers meet to make a film – but things get wonderfully weird when the camera takes on a life of its own…
Following the sell-out success of The Welcoming Party at MIF17, Theatre-Rites returns to the Festival with a team of international collaborators – and an uplifting new show mixing dance, music, theatre and puppetry for children and family audiences.
We can now connect with anyone, in person and on screen – but is the camera our friend, our playmate or something else entirely? Partly inspired by our year under lockdown, The Global Playground explores the magic of our first encounters, how we play together, how we connect and sometimes disconnect – and ultimately how we make the most of the time we spend together, however, we spend it. This joyful show invites us to celebrate both the people we are and the people we cherish, and reminds us all to treat one another with kindness and care.
“The Global Playground is a delight. This charming children’s show about a troupe of dancers and a mischievous camera making a movie gently taps into the past year’s difficulties.” – The Telegraph
The Collaboration
A co-production between Manchester International Festival and Theatre-Rites
A group of dancers meet to make a film – but things get wonderfully weird when the camera takes on a life of its own…
Following the sell-out success of The Welcoming Party at MIF17, Theatre-Rites returns to the Festival with a team of international collaborators – and an uplifting new show mixing dance, music, theatre and puppetry for children and family audiences.
We can now connect with anyone, in person and on screen – but is the camera our friend, our playmate or something else entirely? Partly inspired by our year under lockdown, The Global Playground explores the magic of our first encounters, how we play together, how we connect and sometimes disconnect – and ultimately how we make the most of the time we spend together, however, we spend it. This joyful show invites us to celebrate both the people we are and the people we cherish, and reminds us all to treat one another with kindness and care.
“The Global Playground is a delight. This charming children’s show about a troupe of dancers and a mischievous camera making a movie gently taps into the past year’s difficulties.” – The Telegraph
DreamCity (for String Orchestra)
★★★★ “packs a real punch” The Times
★★★★ “Kwame Kwei-Armah’s hypnotic production!” Daily Mail
★★★★ “innately captivating” Daily Telegraph
★★★★ “brings fireworks” Evening Standard
Painters are like boxers, both smear their blood on the canvas.
New York, 1984. Fifty-six-year-old Andy Warhol’s star is falling. Jean-Michel Basquiat is the new wonder kid taking the art world by storm. When Basquiat agrees to collaborate with Warhol on a new exhibition, it soon becomes the talk of the city.
As everyone awaits the ‘greatest exhibition in the history of modern art’, the two artists embark on a shared journey, both artistic and deeply personal, that re-draws both their worlds.
Paul Bettany (The Avengers, Wandavision) is the iconic Warhol and Jeremy Pope (Hollywood, Choir Boy, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations) plays the magnetic Basquiat in the world premiere of Anthony McCarten’s thrilling new drama, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah.
Mento Mood (for String Quartet)
HOSTILE is a feature-length documentary written, directed and produced by Sonita Gale and Executive Produced by Nitin Sawhney and Charlotte Fisher.
The film is available to stream in the UK on the BFI Player: https://bit.ly/Hostile-BFIPlayer
2021 BIFA Longlisted – Best Debut Director, Best Documentary and Raindance Discovery Award
2022 BAFTA Longlisted – Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Featuring music from Nitin Sawhney & Ayanna Witter-Johnson and spoken word by George the Poet.
Told through the eyes of four participants from Black and Asian backgrounds, the film focuses on the impact of evolving immigration policies that target migrants. What happens when the ‘hostile environment’ turns on us all? What does it mean to be British? And what does it feel like to be told you don’t belong? This film seeks to answer these questions and inspire viewers to take action for long-term change.
Hostile premiered at the 2021 Raindance Film Festival, and has travelled across the UK, Europe and America. The film has screened across the country at Picturehouse and other independent cinemas and has been selected for a number of UK and international film festivals, winning several awards.
Hostile was a finalist at the Catalina Film Festival and the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (in the ‘Supreme Award’ and ‘Best Director – International categories). The film won the ‘Best Documentary Feature’ award at the 2021 South London Film Festival, Filmocracy Fest 2022 and the Roxbury International Film Festival 2022.