Bahraini-British music sensation Yazz Ahmed will be swinging her way back into the hearts of her fans and friends when she performs at her ‘homecoming’ concert this weekend.
The classy jazz maestro will be performing a suite named ‘Alhaan Al Siduri’ at the Cultural Hall on Saturday at 8pm, as part of the 25th Bahrain International Music Festival and the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of relations between Bahrain and the UK.
The event has been organised thanks to a collaboration between the British Council Bahrain and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
Yazz was born in the UK but moved to Bahrain soon afterwards with her father, Sameer Ahmed. She lived in the kingdom for nine years and studied at the Dilmun School, Habara School and St Christopher’s School. Her sisters, Nadia and Nadeen, still live in the kingdom.
Yazz first picked up the trumpet at the same time she moved back to England, after being inspired by her grandfather Terry Brown. He himself was a successful jazz trumpet player in the 1950s and played alongside legendary musicians such as John Dankworth, Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott.
She said: 'He was a great inspiration to me. I loved the sounds and the spirit of the music on the records Terry would play to me and thought it would be fun to learn the trumpet. He was, and still is, my hero.'
Shortly afterwards her endeavours gathered pace. Starting out in the school orchestra and playing at her local music centre, the Merton Music Foundation, she soon progressed as a musician and went on to graduate with a degree in music from Kingston University before later winning a scholarship to study on a postgraduate jazz course at the celebrated Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
However, it’s the thought of returning to the kingdom that truly excites Yazz. She explained: 'I very rarely get the chance to visit my family in Bahrain, so whenever I do come back it becomes a very emotionally-fulfilling trip.
'Bahrain was my very first home, and from time-to-time, I do get a bit home sick. There are so many things I miss about Bahrain - the food, the weather, the culture and the relaxed way of life.
'I’m incredibly excited to have this opportunity to perform in Bahrain especially as the music we’ll be playing is inspired by Bahrain’s unique folk music which I’ve fused with other influences from my mixed heritage.
'My father has never seen me play live before so this will be a very special occasion for me and my family.'
Alhaan Al Siduri is a suite inspired by the work songs of the Bahraini pearl divers and the traditional wedding songs of the women groups of Bahrain, fused with jazz elements, electronics and a medley of other inspirations Yazz has picked up from her travels.
She will be performing with her Ahmed Family Hafla Band in Bahrain but she plays in many different groups, has three ensembles of her own, and collaborates with numerous artists.
She has one final message for her fans in the kingdom, who she hopes will turn out to support her on Saturday. 'I urge you, come and celebrate Bahrain’s rich and unique musical heritage but with a modern twist! It will be a lot a fun and also an absolute honour to play to my fellow Bahrainis,' she said.
