Arowah is an award-winning composer, producer and musician know for the fluidity and breath of their artistic projects.
The Forever Presence is a meditation on the present moment and the eternal. Drawing from the rich tradition of Spiritual Jazz, they weave in ambient electronic textures and contemporary classical arrangements that evoke both depth and delicacy. Called “exceptional” by Clash Magazine and “outstanding” by BBC 6 Music’s Gilles Peterson, they’ve received praise from both sides of the Atlantic as KEXP and KCRW’s track of the day and interviews on NPR, Bandcamp (frontpage), BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio London and Jazz FM. They will be performing at SXSW 2025 and are soon to announce their debut album.
Inspired by Robin D. G. Kelley’s book ‘Freedom Dreams’, B.H.A.M. tells the stories of forgotten freedom struggles. In an honouring of the ancestors, each composition pays tribute to a group who, in the spirit of Sankofa, we could learn lessons from today.
In the lineage of African and African American music traditions, B.H.A.M. is also an instrument for Healing Justice and community alchemising, the album representing a ritual opening with a prayer.
Drawing praise from jazz legends, being called a “soulful sonic mosaic” by Terri Lyne Carrington and “a brave artist” by Tomorrow's Warriors' Gary Crosby, B.H.A.M. have performed at Jazz Refreshed, formed part of the Racial Justice Network’s National Gathering Exhibition and received extensive radio support and interviews on the likes of BBC, Bandcamp, KEXP, Jazz FM and dublab.
Arowah is bandleader, composer/producer and guitarist/bassist for this project, alongside Jay Phelps (trumpet), Romarna Campbell (drums), Lorenz Okello-Osengor (piano), Gary Washington (cello) and guest vocalists S0lar and Sheena, as well as spoken word contributions from activists including Robin D. G. Kelley, AWETHU and Mzz Kimberley. Their debut self-titled album B.H.A.M. was released Feb 2025 on Musical Meditation's record label.
A prolific composer, Arowah has been commissioned by the likes of Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Radio 3, Wigmore Hall, National Sawdust and University of Michigan.
Commissioned by BBC Radio 3 to celebrate the Sounds of the Century, performed by BBC Concert Orchestra and guests Emma Rawicz and Lorenz Okello-Osengor, honouring the 2003 Peace Rally against the Iraq War and peace movements globally
National Sawdust Hildegard Commission premiered at National Sawdust, New York, March 2025
Arowah previously performed internationally as Jelly Cleaver and as the bandleader and composer for all-female disco band All Day Breakfast Cafe. They were also a founding member of Queen Colobus and Twat Union, and had a busy career as a session musician for many other artists.