Ayanna Witter-Johnson joins forces with LSO Percussion Ensemble for new album

LSO Live has this morning revealed details of Ocean Floor, a new album which will see British singer-songwriter, pianist and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson join forces with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) Percussion Ensemble. The 12-track live album will blur boundaries between genres including chamber music, jazz and soul.

The new album is set to explore themes including Witter-Johnson’s heritage, culture and identity through the theme of the ocean. Edinburgh International Festival will get a taste of the collaboration with a jazz-infused programme by Witter-Johnson and the LSO Percussion Ensemble (Neil Percy, Sam Walton, David Jackson, Jacob Brown) next week (15 August).

Witter-Johnson said: ‘This special project was born out of a beautiful friendship with Principal LSO Percussionist Neil Percy. His enthusiasm for my music was the catalyst for our first collaboration and subsequent commission Forever… I treasure this project because I have felt continual support to express myself fully through the exploration of themes around my ancestry, family history and the ocean.’

Ocean Floor is Witter-Johnson’s first release on the orchestra’s LSO Live label, but is the latest project of the Witter-Johnson’s long history of collaboration with LSO. Shortly after graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Witter-Johnson participated in the LSO’s Composers Scheme, and has since given numerous performances with the orchestra.

Ocean Floor will be available on CD and via all digital platforms from 27 October. The album will be released on vinyl in April 2024. You can listen to the first single Pioneers here.