YolanDa Brown

For the American singer, see Yolanda Brown (singer).
YolanDa Brown
Background information
Birth name Yolanda Faye Brown
Born (1982-10-04) 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 www.yolandabrown.co.uk
YolanDa Brown Feb 2012

YolanDa Brown, born to Jamaican parents in Barking, London, England (4 October 1982),[1] is a British 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 and the University of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain.[5] Her Undergraduate Master's Dissertation was on "Combining SSM (Soft systems methodology) and DESM (Discrete event simulation) in an Athletics Club."[6] 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[7] and UMA[8] 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,[9] Michel Camilo, Hilario Duran, Dean Fraser, Byard Lancaster,[10] Sonny Bradshaw,[11] Otis Williams and the The Temptations along with their manager Shelly Berger.[12]

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,[13] 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[14] This saw her performing alongside musicians including Etienne Charles and Leon Foster Thomas.[15] Her 19 November concert at IndigO2 at the O2 Arena, London continued her record of musically excellent and uniquely entertaining sold out events.[16]

On 2 December 2010, YolanDa was presented with an Honorary Doctor of the Arts by the University of East London[17] in a ceremony at the Barbican Theatre, London.

For YolanDa music has always been a therapeutic 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[18] 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.[19]

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.[20]

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. At the end of the year, April Showers May Flowers was listed as an album of the year on the UK iTunes "Best Jazz Album of 2012" list.

YolanDa's sophomore album is due for release in 2016. She continues to tour extensively at home and abroad and headlined her own show for the first time at the Hackney Empire, London on October 3rd 2015. This is where YolanDa first highlighted her talent, providing musical interludes through guest spots in comedy and variety shows early on in her career. The show was sold out to capacity and featured special guests including The Floacist, Omar Lye-Fook, Mica Paris and Julian Marley. It was an emotional return "home" for an artist who is no longer an entre nous.

In September 2015, YolanDa and Black Grape Global signed with Alex Fane of United Agents Music, the music division of United Agents, to represent her touring and engagement interests.

Discography

EP’s and Albums

Chart positions

Audited and Monitored chart position in the UK[21]

Year Album Chart Peak position
April 2012 April Showers May Flowers UK iTunes Jazz Charts 1
April 2012 April Showers May Flowers UK Amazon Jazz Charts 1
April 2012 A Step Closer EP UK iTunes Jazz Charts 2
April 2012 April Showers May Flowers UK Amazon Pop Charts 3
April 2012 April Showers May Flowers UK Jazz and Blues Charts Official Charts Company 7

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

References

  1. ↑ All About Jazz. "YolanDa Brown All About Jazz Page". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Grant, Dionne (20 July 2008). "Britain's hottest new sax symbol". The Voice. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  3. ↑ Myers, Maxine (18 March 2008). "In celebration of my sisters". The Voice. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  4. ↑ Media Office Kent Business School. "Kent student is one of Britain's most outstanding black students". University of Kent. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  5. ↑ University of Oviedo. "University of Oviedo". University of Oviedo. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. ↑ PhD Poster Presentation 07/08 Archived 31 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "YolanDa Brown Wins "Best Jazz" MOBO Awards 2008". YouTube. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Urban Music Awards". Urban Music Awards. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ramón Valle". Ramón Valle. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "YolanDa Brown to honour Sonny Bradshaw". Jamaica-gleaner.com. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Wilmer, Val (14 December 2009). "Sonny Bradshaw". London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  12. ↑ "Shelly Berger Honored for Accomplishments in Talent Management". 24-7pressrelease.com. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  13. ↑ "Jamaica Gleaner News – Desi Jones well 'Skooled' in drumming – Sunday | June 24, 2007". Jamaica-gleaner.com. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  14. ↑ http://panjazz.com/
  15. ↑ http://panjazz.com/images/anancystories.jpg
  16. ↑ "Yolanda Brown: Live at the IndigO2 & Interview | MOBO Awards". Mobo.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  17. ↑ "University of East London". UEL. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  18. ↑ "YolanDa Brown – Yamaha – UK and Ireland". Uk.yamaha.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  19. ↑ "Welcome – Yamaha Music in Education – UK & Ireland". Yamahamusiceducation.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  20. ↑ "The Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians". Mfym.org.uk. 14 March 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "Chart positions following début album launch". Yolandabrown.co.uk. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.

External links

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