To celebrate the selection of this year’s New Voices cohort, we caught up with all the selected artists and composers for a quick chat.

Here, we speak to New Voices 2022 composer Romarna Campbell. Text.

Can you tell us about your musical influences?

My influences vary quite a lot. I grew up heavily influenced by Hip Hop, Neo-Soul and RnB. So my go-to influences are Questlove and the Roots, Max Roach and Clifford Brown, Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams, Roy Haynes and so many more. I think most surprisingly would be my absolute love for Big Band, especially Frank Sinatra with the Count Basie Orchestra Live at the Sands, and Debussy. Although, I would counteract that with: why should that be unexpected? 

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently in the process of starting two new projects, as well as recording and touring my main band. The first project explores healing and positivity through music and improvisation—guided and free—to allow people the space to explore their own consciousness, with a particular focus on elevating the audience’s wellbeing and mental health. The second project I am currently developing is a solo drum set performance in collaboration with a visual artist for installations in galleries, pop-ups, and unexpected jazz/electronic music spaces, blending both reality and digital life. 

What are you looking forward to most about New Voices?