Ayanna Witter-Johnson salutes her hometown

Ayanna Witter-Johnson

SINGER AND cellist Ayanna Witter Johnson plays Kings Place in September in a show which sees the artist uncover the hidden stories of her hometown through the lens of her Jamaican heritage.

Now is not the time to give up on your dreams

Ayanna Witter Johnson

Witter-Johnson, who features on a track called ‘Flow My Tears’ with John Aram, which is out today, will present ‘Hometown Roots’, a night of song and storytelling accompanied by some special guests.

The start of the year saw Witter-Johnson release a three track EP, ‘Rise Up’, featuring rapper and author Akala.

Speaking on the project Witter-Johnson said: “‘In ‘Rise Up’ I created a song with a strong message specifically influenced by my Jamaican heritage.”

She added: “The starting point was a dancehall riddim that informed the main cello riff. Lyrically, I challenged myself to create something uplifting with an uplifting message and it just flowed.

“I wrote the song for the next generation in the black community to remember they are the key to the future. To celebrate their culture, and to be proud of it.

“We are in the midst of having our basic freedoms challenged by something outside of ourselves and it’s easy to give up hope.

“We need to gather personal strength and remain purposeful, inspired and on track more than ever. Now is not the time to give up on your dreams.”

The definition of eclectic soul Witter-Johnson will be touring over the next couple of months with a special Black History Month gig taking place at Royal Albert Hall with Nitin Sawhney.

Black British Voices

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