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NEWS

 Mastermind Appearance by YolanDa Brown
on BBC ONE

 

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Clive Myrie puts four more famous faces under the spotlight in another episode of the classic quiz, where celebrities donate to their chosen charities.

 

Cricket broadcaster Jonathan Agnew, musician and presenter YolanDa Brown, actor Davood Ghadami and writer and comedian Jessica Knappett are in the famous black chair tonight, answering questions on the history of cakes, Disney's Descendants films, the Battle of Thermopylae and The Fast Show.

Sesame Street’s Elmo shares mindfulness moment with YolanDa for Children’s
Mental Health Week

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Sesame Street’s Elmo shares a “mindfulness moment” with YolanDa Brown in a video to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. Elmo and Brown reflect on the things that make them happy and celebrate their days. Elmo celebrates taking his puppy for a walk and enjoying the fresh air, while Brown celebrates playing her saxophone and sharing her love of music.

After 6 Years YolanDa Brown to
step down
 as Chair of Youth Music

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YolanDa said: "Some News… After 6 fulfilling years as Chair of Youth Music It is time to pass the baton in March 2024. It’s been an incredible journey, one filled with learning, inspiration, and most importantly, meaningful impact in the lives of young people through the power of music. I have immense admiration and love for Youth Music, from our CEO Matt Griffiths to the brilliant senior leadership team, every single team member and the awesome trustees over the years. We are all driven by the same goal, to make music and all its benefits available to every young person. My bond with this remarkable charity is enduring, and I will undoubtedly miss the delightful presence of the office dogs, who often graced our board meetings as cherished guests. The most awesome board of Trustees past and present and the fab Youth music staff smashing it daily for young people and their access to music… thank you all.

Youth Music are recruiting a new Chair. 

Fantastic Music Week Feature
on YolanDa Brown

 

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Few working in the music industry can stake a claim to be involved in as many different areas of it as YolanDa Brown. Almost a year into her role as chair of the BPI, the saxophonist, composer, radio presenter and music education expert is now opening Soul Mama, a new grassroots venue and restaurant. Here, the winner of the Music Champion category at our Women In Music Awards 2022 expands on her vision for the business and talks live music, diversification and hard work…

YolanDa Brown Speaks at the Nominations Launch for the 2024 Brit Awards

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Dr. Jo Twist OBE, BPI Chief Executive  and YolanDa Brown OBE DL, BPI Chair said in a joint statement: “We congratulate all the nominees on their deserved recognition of a brilliant year in music, and in particular RAYE on her exceptional achievement of a record seven nominations, underlining a truly outstanding 12 months for her.  It’s also wonderful that women overall have performed so strongly across so many of the awards categories.       

Channel 4 News Interview with
Cathy Newman and YolanDa Brown

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In her role as Chair of BPI (the representative body for UK record labels and organises the Brit Awards and Mercury Prize), YolanDa appeared on Channel 4 News and spoke about 2023 being a record breaking year for Women in Music. 

King Charles awards YolanDa Brown OBE
at her Buckingham Palace Investiture

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YolanDa Brown has picked up an honour from the King at Buckingham Palace just a day after performing in front of him.

The saxophonist and broadcaster spoke of her pride after she was handed her OBE by Charles for services to music, music education and broadcasting. It comes after she played at the Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Celebrity Bridge of Lies Appearance for YolanDa on BBC One with Ross Kemp

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Ross Kemp presents the high stakes quiz, where a team of celebrity radio presenters - Tony Blackburn, BBC Radio 1’s Katie Thistleton, YolanDa Brown from Jazz FM and Heart FM’s Lauren Layfield - take on the Bridge of Lies for their chosen charities.

Watch Portrait Artist of the Year 2022 as YolanDa Brown sits on Sky Arts

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YolanDa will be appearing on Portrait artist of the year Sky Arts along with Bruno Tonioli and Helen Sharman. Presented by Stephen Mangan and Joan Bakewell. 

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 BPI announce YolanDa Brown as  Chair 

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July 2022 sees YolanDa Brown appointed as Chair of  BPI (British Phonographic Industry) - the representative voice for record labels in the UK. BPI organises The BRIT Awards, The Mercury Prize and co-owns The Official Charts.

 BAFTA Nomination for YolanDa Brown

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YolanDa Brown is nominated in the Presenter category. All first-time nominees: YolanDa Brown for YolanDa’s Band Jam, George Webster for CBeebies Presentation, Hamza Yassin for Let’s Go For A Walk and Braydon Bent for FYI Investigates: Brazil

Music Week Awards YolanDa Brown the Music Champion Award

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The Music Week Women In Music Awards packed with top executives, artists and music creatives. The Music Champion Award shines a light on women working in a public-facing capacity who encourage the use of music as a force for change, inclusion, education or improvement. 

Jools Holland and YolanDa Brown present the Boisdale Music Awards 

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Jools and YolanDa present the Boisdale Music Award with eclectic performances live in Canary Wharf.

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YolanDa Brown appointed by Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) - as National Council Member at Arts Council England

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The Secretary of State has appointed YolanDa Brown, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, and Abigail Pogson as National Council Members for Arts Council England for four year terms, from 15 May 2022 until 14 May 2026. 

Watch YolanDa on Celebrity Antiques
Roadtrip with Gareth Malone
BBC TWO - 12th Dec 7pm

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Choirmaster extraordinaire Gareth Malone and world-renowned saxophonist YolanDa Brown visit Edinburgh and Fife. This pitch-perfect duo is gunning around town in a 1960s motor, each with £400 to buy antiques that will hopefully ring up some big profits at auction. Regular Road Trippers David Harper and Raj Bisram are joining the band ready to advise. 

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YolanDa Features on Jools Holland's
New Album - Pianola Out Now 

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Jool's brand New Album Pianola is out now. YolanDa Brown features on the track “surfin”. The album also features Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, Ruby Turner, Lang Lang - 郎朗 Sir Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum and loads more amazing musicians. Listen on all steaming platforms. 

YolanDa Appears on Christmas Special
of The Hit List on BBC ONE 11th Dec 

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Joining Marvin and Rochelle Humes for this festive episode are Actors and EastEnders stars Jake Wood and Tamzin Outhwaite, Choirmaster Gareth Malone and Saxophonist YolanDa Brown and comedians Alex Brooker and Ellie Taylor - but who will sleigh the competition and get the chance to win £10,000 for their chosen charity? Get ready to play along and shout out the answers at the telly!

The Government assembles advisory panel, including YolanDa Brown -
National Plan for Music Education

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The panel will work with the DfE and DCMS to ensure the refreshed plan supports the government’s aims for all young people to have access to a high quality music education and opportunities to explore music. 

Read YolanDa Brown interview in iNews with Adam Sherwin

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“Parents don’t have to be musical. You can start a beat banging on the dinner table and get a sing-along going. Just that interaction as a family can be uplifting in these trying times.”

Listen to YolanDa Brown on LBC
with Ruth Davidson for an 
in-depth chat.

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Listen today at 9pm on LBC as YolanDa has an in-depth chat with Ruth Davidson about family, career, dreams and my primary schools music campaign.

YolanDa Brown appears on BBC Morning Live on BBC One with Kym and Gethin

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YolanDa appeared on BBC Morning Live today speaking about the impact of music and her campaign to provide more access to music across primary schools around the country. 

YolanDa Brown presents
BBC YOUNG JAZZ MUSICIAN 2020
on BBC FOUR

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"My top piece of advice for helping children learn music at home is first and foremost, have fun. A lot of the ‘learning’ children will have to do at the moment will be sitting down in front of a worksheet or on a screen. Change it up!"

YolanDa Brown presents
BBC YOUNG JAZZ MUSICIAN 2020
on BBC FOUR

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YolanDa Brown presents the young jazz musician on BBC Four. Jury was made up of Guy Barker, Nubya Garcia and Orphy Robinson, recorded at Cadogan Hall.

YolanDa releases music from her 
CBeebies show on Sony Music Magic Star.

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YolanDa Brown has released Something ‘bout That Noise, a single from her upcoming album based on her popular CBeebies show and announces her latest mission to promote music education in primary schools.

YolanDa Brown interviews Alexis Ffrench on Songs of Praise

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Classical pianist Alexis Ffrench tells YolanDa Brown about his love of music, and how he felt as a child being Britain's youngest black church organist

YolanDa presents "Sunday Night is Music Night on BBC Radio 2"

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YolanDa Brown presents the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Big Band in concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in celebration of composer Duke Ellington.

YolanDa presents Podcast with London Philharmonic Orchestra

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YolanDa presents "OffStage" with the LPO. An insightful chat about the inner workings of an orchestra and will definitely take the audience into some of the anecdotes from backstage. Available now on all streaming platforms.

YolanDa Judges the Junior Guildhall School Lutine Prize Final

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YolanDa was honoured to be one of the adjudicators along with, Paul Hoskins and Armin Zanner. Thanks to Rosie Whitfield and the Junior Guildhall team for a fab event.

Living Wage Foundation Panel webinar participation by  YolanDa Brown 

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Do you work in the #ThirdSector? YolanDa Brown speaks at Living Wage UK webinar on 'Rebuilding an Inclusive Third Sector with the real Living Wage wearing her Chair of Youth Music charity hat. 

BBC Radio 2 YolanDa Brown presents the Early Breakfast Show all week

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YolanDa Brown sits in for Vanessa Feltz from Monday, 20th July -24th July, bringing you all the world's trending stories and this morning's Pause For Thought. 

JAZZ FM announce YolanDa Brown 
as new presenter for a new slot
Every Saturday 2-6pm

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YolanDa Brown will present a weekly show from Saturday, 30th June.

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Her show – “YolanDa Brown on Saturday” – will broadcast between 2pm and 6pm every Saturday afternoon and will allow YolanDa to showcase some of the world’s greatest jazz, soul and blues performers with her inimitable style, full of passion, personality and fun. 

Sony Music signs YolanDa Brown 
signs to its Magic Star record label

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YolanDa Brown signs to Sony Music, children and family label - Magic Star. 

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Loads of exciting news to follow.

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BBC Radio 2 -YolanDa Brown 
sits in for Trevor Nelson on the Rhythm Nation

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YolanDa Brown makes her BBC Radio 2 debut as she sits in for Trevor Nelson on his Rhythm Nation show.

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Join her on the 12th Dec (election night) and 16th Dec at 10pm.

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Royal Television Society Win for "YolanDa's Band Jam" CBeebies
Children's show 

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YolanDa Brown wins her first award as a Broadcaster with an RTSNW Award for Best Children's Programme (Pre - school). 

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Nominees:

CBeebies Stargazing: Mission Moon, Clangers, Daisy & Ollie Christmas Special; 'What's so Great About Christmas Anyway?’.

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Watch House of Games on 
BBC TWO with YolanDa Brown

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Join YolanDa Brown everyday this week at 6pm on BBC One along with Rev Kate Bottley, Joel Dommett and John Thomson. Hosted by Richard Osman.

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Jools Holland interviews YolanDa Brown on BBC Radio 2

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In the first of this new series Jools is joined in the studio by YolanDa Brown, the UK’s premiere female saxophonist.

A multiple Mobo winner, YolanDa is also the presenter of YolanDa’s Band Jam on CBeebies, a show often described as 'Later… for pre-schoolers'.

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YolanDa Brown
presents BBC Gospel Choir of the Year - BBC One

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YolanDa Brown hosts the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition 2019 with judges Rick Astley, Brenda Edwards and Mark De-Lisser.

BBC Teach - Bring The Noise with 
YolanDa Brown

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BBC launch an educational campaign to inspire children to become musicians and see the joys of music-making. Zara Larsson, Nile Rodgers, JP Cooper and YolanDa Brown are ambassadors. YolanDa Brown says: "The heartbeat of every generation are children and it is important that we nurture them and teach them to dream. I am pleased to be an ambassador of the Bring The Noise campaign, introducing children all around the country to music, music making and the endless joy that comes with it.”

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Dave Stewart from Eurythmics and YolanDa Brown at Royal 
Festival Hall

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The most eclectic and absolutely awesome artists were assembled by the legend Dave Stewart for a special concert celebrating Eurythmics at Southbank Centre

Featuring Beverley Knight, Emeli Sande and more.

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Congratulations to Nile Rodgers for the brilliant curation for the meltdown festival.

Evening Standard  Feature- YolanDa Brown

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How does she fit it all in? “I don’t have the answer… but if it’s in my iCalendar, it’s happening,” says Brown, showing me her iPhone’s meticulously colour-coded schedule. Family time is currently green and her daughter is yellow: “She’s got her own social calendar now.”   

BBC NEWS -
Music education 'creates more well-rounded people' YolanDa Brown

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Jazz star YolanDa Brown says pressure must be brought to bear on politicians to understand the social benefits of music education.

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In March, the BPI said English state schools have seen a 21% drop in music provision in the last five years.

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"It's not just learning notes or ticking things we can get a grade in, it's part of our wellbeing," she said.

I News interview YolanDa Brown

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“Whatever the barriers are, we’ll knock them down. It’s important for me to inspire and motivate the next generation of young musicians to achieve their potential” 

YolanDa Brown New Voice of W TV  Channel 

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UKTV is excited to announce YolanDa Brown as its new continuity announcer for premium entertainment channel, W. Watch W on: Sky 109 / 245, Virgin 124 / 191, BT 311 & TalkTalk 407 

YolanDa Brown on BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends with 
Kiefer Sutherlandand Bill Pullman

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Nikki Bedi and YolanDa Brown are joined by Kiefer Sutherland, Bill Pullman and Andi Oliver for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Angélique Kidjo and Kiefer Sutherland.

YolanDa Brown presents podcasts celebrating 100 Years of Hilton

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She interviews inspirational Team Members from across Hilton around the world to find out the secrets behind the award-winning Hilton teams and learn what motivates them to lead the way in hospitality for the next century.

Drake YolanDa Award 2019 Shortlist Chosen 

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The 10 winners of the 2019 prize were selected from over 200 entries to the new prize by a stellar panel of industry judges including celebrity choir master Gareth Malone OBE; music editor of The Independent Roisin O’Connor; X Factor winner Matt Cardle, Ben Earle from UK country band The Shires and chaired by YolanDa Brown

CBeebies Show   Commissioned.
 "YolanDa's Band Jam" Starting Jan 2019 

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Very Exciting News!!!

YolanDa Brown will be presenting her own show on CBeebies. It is a music show with 20 episodes, exploring tempo, rhythm, featuring lots of exciting guests, an awesome house band

Celebrity Mastermind - Watch YolanDa Brown brave the famous black chair 

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Watch Wed 2nd Jan on BBC One. John Humphrys puts four celebrities to the test in another episode of the Celebrity Mastermind.

James Drake and YolanDa Brown
launch award for emerging young musicians

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The Drake YolanDa Award has been created to support emerging young artists across the UK on their musical journey.

Appointed Chair of biggest Music Eduction charity in the UK - Youth Music 

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Youth Music is excited to announce that YolanDa Brown has been appointed as the charity’s new Chair. She was selected following a wide-ranging recruitment process and will take up the role in January 2018.

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BBC 2 Appearance for YolanDa Brown "Gareth Malone's All Star Music Quiz"

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The team line-ups include former MP turned presenter, Ed Balls (on piano); Cold Feet and Fast Show star John Thomson (on drums); TV presenter and former JLS member JB Gill (on piano); comedian and actor Rob Rouse (on guitar and trumpet), Olivier Award-winning comedian Pippa Evans (on guitar) and yours truly YolanDa Brown on Saxophone!  

BBC Radio 4 - Loose Ends
Amanda Abbington Interview

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Clive Anderson and YolanDa Brown are joined by Don McLean, Amanda Abbington and In-Sook Chappell for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Kimmie Rhodes and The Magic Numbers.

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Producer: Sukey Firth

Royal Festival 
Hall - YolanDa Brown 10 Year Anniversary 
Celebration Concert

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Epic concert at Royal Festival Hall celebrating YolanDa Brown's 10 Year Anniversary in music. With Special Guests: Dame Evelyn Glennie, Lemar and Randy Valentine.

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CBeebies Proms Performance with YolanDa Brown

It’s finally going on TV The CBeebies Prom. A star-studded musical journey to the moon!  Feat YolanDa Brown,Justin Fletcher, Nigel Clarke, Chris Jarvis, Maddiemoate and Cat Sandion with the BBC Singers, Chineke Orchestra & conductor Kwame Ryan and Hans Zimmer

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BBC Proms Launch Speech

YolanDa Brown speaks at the launch of the 2019 BBC Proms

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Series 2 Commissioned of YolanDa's Band Jam  

After a successful first series, YolanDa's Band Jam will return for a second series in 2020.

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YolanDa Brown presents BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year  

YolanDa Brown joins Josie d’Arby to present coverage of the final broadcast from the Queen Elizabeth Hall on BBC Four.

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Spanish Tour is SOLD OUT for YolanDa Brown 

What an amazing tour in Spain. Great audiences, beautiful venues, sold out shows and we cannot wait to return.

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BBC Music Day Ambassador YolanDa Brown performs in Portsmouth

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Key Note Speaker - Music Mark Conference

Key Note Speech on "Youth Voice" at the Music Mark conference delivered by YolanDa Brown

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Hillsong Europe Conference Appearance - YolanDa Brown 

YolanDa speaks about having a voice in your sphere of influence and performs at the Hillsong Conference in 2018, live from the O2 Arena

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Sky News Interview  - YolanDa Brown

YolanDa Brown appears on Sky News to discuss her new album, as well as her performance at the Henley Festival.

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YolanDa Brown Launches London

Saxophone 

Festival

A festival experience, in celebration of the saxophone through concerts, film, workshops and more. Year 1 featured Bob Reynolds from Snarky Puppy, Casey Benjamin from Robert Glasper Experiment.

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Billy Ocean Tour with YolanDa Brown

YolanDa Brown embarks on a nationwide tour with Legend Billy Ocean.

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Celebrity Eggheads Appearance - BBC 2 YolanDa Brown

 Jeremy Vine hosts. Actor Simon Greenall, singer Toyah Wilcox, arts correspondent Nick Higham, saxophonist YolanDa Brown and presenter Katie Derham face the Eggheads

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Sunday Times Feature

Me & My Motor

“Whenever anyone asks me what I wanted to be growing up, that’s always what I say,” laughs Brown, who is working towards a racing license and was once described as “the Lewis Hamilton of jazz” by Ron Dennis, former team principal of the McLaren Formula One team.

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YolanDa Interviews Comedy Legend Frank Skinner

Clive Anderson and YolanDa Brown are joined by Frank Skinner, Nicola Walker and Craig Cash for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Meklit and Abatwa on Loose Ends - BBC Radio 4.

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YolanDa presents BBC Radio 4 Documentary on Williams Syndrome

YolanDa Brown steps inside the world of Williams Syndrome as she joins the campers, saxophone in hand. In meeting those with Williams Syndrome, she discovers how they hear music in unexpected places, be it a coffee machine producing a C note or a bell with a high frequency. 

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Producer: Kate Holland
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

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