MUSIC
Arowah is an award-winning composer, producer and musician know for the fluidity and breath of their artistic projects.
B.H.A.M.
BLACK HISTORY ARTS MOVEMENT
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.
CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
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.
BBC Radio 3 - 25 FOR 25
I was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 to celebrate the Sounds of the Century with this piece for BBC Concert Orchestra and guests Emma Rawicz and Lorenz Okello-Osengor, honuring the 2003 Peace Rally against the Iraq War and peace movements globally
PAST PROJECTS
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 performed as a member of many bands and ensembles.