Yazz Ahmed's album ‘Polyhymnia’ celebrates female courage, determination, and creativity. Commissioned by Tomorrow’s Warriors in 2015, she wrote an extended work for their Nu Civilisation Orchestra, performed at the Women of the World Festival on International Women’s Day at the QEH, London. Channelling Polyhymnia, the Greek Muse of music, poetry, and dance, Yazz created a suite of movements dedicated to outstanding women role models. This album contrasts her previous work, "La Saboteuse," which was driven by her inner-destroyer or anti-muse.
Since the premiere performance, the music evolved and deepened, with Yazz choosing to feature a wider pool of artists, including members of her Hafla band and other musical friends, on this recording. Yazz shares her musical response to the stories and achievements of exceptional women, including Rosa Parks, Haifaa Al-Mansour and Malala Yousafzai, and simultaneously illuminates the creativity and talents of her musical collaborators. She hopes to inspire others, echoing Malala's words, "to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves, and realise their full potential."
Musicians:
Alcyona Mick – piano & Fender Rhodes
Alex Ridout – trumpet
Becca Toft – trumpet & voice
Camilla George - alto sax & voice
Carol Jarvis – trombone, bass trombone & voice
Charlie Pyne – double bass, bass guitar & voice
Chloë Abbott – trumpet
Corrina Silvester – percussion & voice
Gemma Moore – baritone sax
George Crowley – bass clarinet
Helena Kay – alto sax & voice
Johanna Burnheart – violin & voice
Josie Simmons – baritone sax & voice
Naadia Sheriff – piano
Noel Langley – trumpet, flugelhorn & voice
Nubya Garcia – tenor sax & voice
Ralph Wyld – vibraphone & glockenspiel
Rosie Turton – trombone & voice
Samuel Hällkvist – guitars
Sarah Tandy – piano, Fender Rhodes & voice
Sheila Maurice-Grey – voice
Shirley Tetteh – guitar & voice
Sophie Alloway – drums & voice
Tori Freestone – alto flute, soprano sax & tenor sax
Yazz Ahmed – trumpet, flugelhorn, Kaoss Pad & voice
