So you’re 34. You’ve won multiple MOBOs, played with Dame Evelyn Glennie and on a plane, are writing a children’s book, and have already been number one on the jazz charts. You’ve toured with Billy Ocean, and not only are you considered to be the UK’s premiere saxophonist but you’re also a Prince’s Trust Ambassador. I mean. What an inspiration. Meet the talented and busy woman that is YolanDa Brown, who I spoke to ahead of her show at Norwich Arts Centre. Respect to the max.
How did you come up with the title of this album, and how did you choose what order to put the words in? While writing the album there was so much going on in the world around me that it only felt right to let it into the music. Love Politics War is a reflection of what we can see in the world today both in the world and in our personal lives. After finishing my Reggae Love Songs tour I knew I had found my style of music. While exploring the different ways that we experience love I thought it was also important to highlight the aspects around us that get in the way of love and peace between people and between nations. Keeping in mind the war on terror and threats between governments brought out a more militant and harsher sound and having love as a creative base brought me back to the sweeter sound of reggae. If there is love and ‘good’ politics, then there will be no war. Tis is the message. Your previous album reached number one on both
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our second album Love Politics War has just come out.
the iTunes and Amazon jazz charts. How different is this new album, and do you feel any personal pressure to do as well this time around? No, I try to take pressure out of the creative process as much as possible. I was so pleased with the reception of my first album April Showers May Flowers, but I also knew the direction that I wanted the new album to take. You always want your work to be well received, but it’s always best to leave pressure at the door of the studio! You went to business school, so how have you ended up as a saxophonist? When did you start playing, and why did you fall in love with it? Yes, I studied a PhD in Management Science at the University of Kent but always loved playing the saxophone. I started playing the saxophone at 13 (after having played the piano, violin and drums from an early age) - I loved how soulful the instrument is. It really is a therapeutic experience to play. At that age it was a great way to process my emotions in song. Te tenor saxophone felt very natural to play and I think it was the tone and warm of the instrument that
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first grabbed me! Who do you look up to as fellow saxophonists? I love Kenny Garrett and Kirk Whalum for their tone, sound and approach to making music. Te saxophone has a very personal tone from player to player and I find that most intriguing when listening to other players. Your music includes jazz, reggae, RnB and gospel sounds. Have you considered playing something completely different ever, like perhaps something
avant-garde? I love to mix genres and I find that having the base in jazz and improvisation opens a gateway to the avant-garde. I feel that in the live shows we have a lot more to space to explore this and actually make a point to do so at parts. I love the freedom it gives and the fact that it never gets played the same way twice. Tis approach is making its way onto my recording a bit more too, but I most enjoy exploring the mix of genres and sounds at
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