WOMEN IN (E)MOTION:

Black Voices x Agaama x Emily Saunders

Don’t miss this programme of much-loved songs and original music performed by some of the best talent in Birmingham.

GET TICKETS HERE:

https://bmusic.co.uk/events/women-in-emotion-black-voices-x-agaama-x-emily-saunders

What’s Happening Where? We’re excited to share with you this celebration of outstanding women in music that’s definitely worth getting to:

Women in E(Motion) the show in celebration of International Women’s Day, Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet Black Voices join Agaama and Emily Saunders to pay tribute to some of the most iconic women in music.

Black Voices

Formed in 1987 by Carol Pemberton MBE, Black Voices has gained a reputation as Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet.

For over 25 years the ensemble has captivated global audiences with their singing and performances in the black oral tradition – an early music form that is based on the ancient folklores and story telling of Africa and the Diaspora and which has impacted on the development of classical and more recent music genres such as blues and jazz.

Drawing inspiration from that rich tradition, Black Voices has developed a unique repertoire and arrangement of spirituals, traditional African, Caribbean and English folk songs, jazz, gospel, pop and reggae as well as a fusion of contemporary and classical styles that has earned them world wide recognition as a performance and teaching company.

Black Voices are globally celebrated for their unique blend of vocal harmonies, singing in the black oral tradition. The group have played around the world, for presidents and royalty and shared the stage with some of the greatest names in music including Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Laura Mvula and Take 6.

Agaama

AGAAMA is an Artist, Composer, Vocalist and Producer; fusing experimental pop, with dark ravey beats and jazz-influenced vocals. AGAAMA draws you in with sonic energy that moves fluidly between haunting melodies and electronic instrumentalism.

AGAAMA grew up in Birmingham UK in a British-Jamaican household with eclectic musical tastes. Their imagination was first captured by her Dad’s contemporary classical vinyl collection and their mother’s love of Sarah Vaughan and Quincy Jones. They took singing lessons as a child at a theatre school in Birmingham, finding a space to channel their hyperactivity and develop as a performer. From their teens, she was exploring music production and fronting metal bands, inspired by the performances of theatrical front women like Kate Bush and Big Mama Thornton. She then went on to work in the classical music industry, project managing commercial orchestras.

Music from recent EP Wandering Worlds won support from Jamz Supernova at BBC1xtra, Mary Anne Hobbs at BBC 6Music as well as playlist love at Clash, Dummy & Loud & Quiet. The Guardian and The Observer and The Quietus have also praised the work of AGAAMA and the sonic world they create.

Emily Saunders

Internationally renowned and critically acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and producer Emily Saunders takes any stage by storm, and captivates audiences through her spellbinding set of original songs and splashes of spoken word.

Dubbed the “UK’s queen of jazz-fusion”, Emily Saunders balances her virtuosity and adventurous musicianship of the highest order with a catchy pop sensibility, that sees her voice dance around infectious tunes that worm their way into your brain and stay there. As a socially conscious wordsmith and supremely talented songwriter, many of her songs reflect on society, the fragility of people and the strength of connectivity, oozing hazy sunshiny days and hot sultry nights. Her heady mix of Latin-infused hip swaying grooves, with driving basslines, infectious melodies, and edges of drum ‘n’ bass, pronounce Saunders as “one for the jazz dance clubs” (Gilles Peterson, BBC 6Music).

Emily Saunders’ music has achieved international iTunes & Amazon chart ‘Top 10s’ in UK, USA, Germany, France and Indonesia, receiving multiple 4 star reviews including: Evening Standard, Guardian, Independent, and the Daily Telegraph’s “Best Of”. Her music has broadcast on BBC Radio1, 2, 3, 4, 6, JazzFM as well as national stations in the US, Japan, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Abu Dhabi, México, Uruguay, South Korea, South Africa.