Ayanna Witter-Johnson

About Ayanna Witter-Johnson

Award-winning artist Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a one-woman orchestra — a singer, songwriter, pianist, cellist and composer whose sound lives between worlds. Seamlessly blending classical, jazz, reggae, soul and R&B, she taps, strums and bows her cello while singing in a voice that’s rich, grounded and transcendent.

A second-generation Jamaican born in Britain, Ayanna’s music celebrates her heritage and identity, weaving ancestral stories into a sound that feels both deeply rooted and beautifully modern. She’s toured with Peter Gabriel and Andrea Bocelli, co-written with Nitin Sawhney and Anoushka Shankar, and graced stages from Madison Square Garden to Later… with Jools Holland.

Her critically acclaimed recordings include Road Runner LP and Rise Up EP, and her latest release Ocean Floor — a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble — explores her Jamaican roots through lush, cinematic soundscapes. She’s currently composing a new commission for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and co-scoring her first TV drama for Sky Arts.

A recipient of the Nordoff and Robbins O2 Silver Clef Classical Award (2023) and RPS & AIM Awards ‘Best Live Performer’ nominations, her sophomore album New Roots due in 2026 continues to expand her signature fusion of classical and soul — redefining what modern British music can be. A presenter, composer and performer of true range and depth, Ayanna continues to inspire listeners to find freedom, strength and connection through music.

Favourite classical composer: Debussy

Desert island classical piece: 'Bibi No Aozora' - Ruichi Sakamoto

Absolutely essential film score: Shiva Baby - Ariel Marx

Classical tune most likely to sing in the shower: Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem