Ouroboros and Jazz in York present:

Yazz Ahmed: Polyhymnia
‘The High Priestess of Psychedelic Arabic Jazz’
The Crescent, York
Friday 15th November, 7.30pm

Tickets are £15 and are available from Earworm Records, the venue in person or online via See Tickets.

This will be a seated show.
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Yazz Ahmed is a British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer who seeks to blur the lines between jazz, electronic sound design, bringing together the sounds of her mixed heritage. Her music has been described as ‘psychedelic Arabic jazz, intoxicating and compelling’.

This will be a rare occasion to experience Yazz’s new album, Polyhymnia, performed live in its entirety, by a 12-piece ensemble, featuring musicians from her Hafla band, players from the album and friends. The forthcoming album has already had incredible reviews, as this jazz star goes from strength to strength, with collaborations with previous guests Ishmael Ensemble, remixes and a cover feature from Jazzwise.

The music is a celebration of female courage, determination and creativity.

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“In 2015, the Tomorrow’s Warriors commissioned me to write an extended work, to be performed by members of their Nu Civilisation Orchestra, for a concert at the Women of the World Festival, in London’s Southbank Centre, on International Women’s Day.

Whilst gathering ideas for my composition, I came across the character of Polyhymnia, the ancient Greek Muse of music, poetry and dance: a Goddess for the arts. Perhaps inspired by her, I conceived the form of a suite of movements, each dedicated to women of outstanding qualities, role models, with whom I felt a strong connection. Whereas La Saboteuse, the embodiment of my inner-destroyer and the catalyst for the creation of my last album, could be viewed as my anti-muse, maybe Polyhymnia herself became my Muse, inspiring an intense period of creativity, which resulted in the six pieces on this album.

Since its conception, composed and arranged over the six weeks leading up to the first rehearsal for the premiere, the music has evolved and expanded. During the recording process I began incorporating new elements and drawing on a wider pool of artists, including members of my own Hafla band, alongside some of my favourite musicians working on the London scene.

By sharing my musical response to the stories and achievements of these exceptional women, and celebrating the creativity and talents of my co-contributors, I hope to inspire others, in the words of Malala, “to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves and realise their full potential”.”

Ouroboros and Jazz in York present:

Yazz Ahmed: Polyhymnia
‘The High Priestess of Psychedelic Arabic Jazz’
The Crescent, York
Friday 15th November, 7.30pm