Ayanna Witter-Johnson

A London concert by Ayanna Witter-Johnson, a British singer, songwriter, pianist and cellist whose work moves between classical, pop and jazz, with the new album New Roots at its centre.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a British composer, singer, songwriter, pianist and cellist whose first album, Road Runner, appeared in 2019. The music spans classical, pop and jazz, and draws on R&B, soul, funk, gospel and reggae. The new album, New Roots, released on the artist's own label, Hill and Gully Records, turns to Caribbean roots and spiritual life, with soul-leaning songs shaped by the warmth of jazz and the storytelling of folk.

Ayanna has collaborated with Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, Andrea Bocelli and Jools Holland, and has toured the UK, Europe and the United States, including a world tour alongside Peter Gabriel. On the cello, Ayanna reinterprets songs, bringing a versatile vocal and instrumental approach to the stage.

The concert takes place at 93 Feet East, a concert venue on Brick Lane in east London, and suits listeners drawn to soul, jazz and cello-led songwriting.