Jamaica & Me
Research and experimental composition project.
Funded by Arts Council England
Following the birth of my child and the breakdown of my marriage in 2019 I lost my home studio and as a single mother in crisis I also lost the time and means to continue making art.
At the end of 2020 after an intense start to motherhood I finally had my own home again and with access to childcare and the support of my friends & family I was also able to rebuild my studio and start practising music again.
Photo of my Grandma hold me on the day I was born
After a few intense years of becoming a mother, the loss of my Jamaican Grandma, Black Lives Matter, and the pandemic an intense period of self-reflection was triggered and I felt a deep need to connect and understand my roots
In 2021 I was awarded funding to explore my Jamaican Heritage, Jamaican Folk Music, and interview my Jamaican family and Jamaican folk music educator Marjorie Whylie.
Photo of me, my brother Lewis and my child at Queens Garden Hull Black Lives Matter Protest May 2020
Photo of my Grandma sat in Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica 1996
Photo of my Great aunt Miss Nell, me, my sister Charmaine and my Grandma in Jamaica 1996
Photo of my Great Grandmother and Grandfather and I think my Great uncle Owen
This history, the stories, sounds of Jamaica and my family history will inspire a series of songs taking my work in a new experimental direction.
Blog
Today I had a video call with my mum’s cousin Michael who lives in Jamaica. It was amazing to hear about my family, especially my Great Great Grandparents. Really enlightening and pretty emotional.
Photo of me, my mum and sister on a video call with my cousin Mike in Jamaica
Mike sent over some more photos of our family. See Gallery below
After my call with my cousin in Jamaica and as I had the week off work, I was inspired to paint my Grandma with her sisters and brother.
