Biography
Yazz Ahmed is a British-Bahraini trumpet and flugelhorn player renowned for her innovative fusion of jazz with Arabic music and electronic sound design. Born in Bahrain to a British mother and Bahraini father, she spent her early childhood immersed in the sounds and culture of the Middle East before moving to London at age nine. Inspired by her maternal grandfather, a jazz trumpeter, Ahmed began playing the trumpet and later studied music at Kingston University, followed by jazz studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama[3][4].
Ahmed's career is marked by a distinctive approach that blends her dual heritage, resulting in what critics describe as 'psychedelic Arabic jazz.' Her debut album, 'Finding My Way Home' (2011), introduced her unique voice, but it was 'La Saboteuse' (2017) that garnered international acclaim, appearing on numerous 'best of' lists and establishing her as a leading figure in contemporary jazz[2]. She has performed at major festivals worldwide and collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Radiohead, Lee Scratch Perry, and These New Puritans[1][2]. Her 2019 album 'Polyhymnia' further showcased her compositional ambition, celebrating influential women and expanding her reach as both a performer and composer[5].
Ahmed is celebrated for her ability to bridge cultures through music, using her compositions to challenge perceptions and promote inclusivity. Her legacy is that of a trailblazer in nu jazz and fusion, inspiring a new generation of musicians and listeners with her vibrant, genre-defying sound[5][6].
Fun Facts
- Ahmed commissioned a custom quarter-tone flugelhorn to better express Arabic scales in her music[4].
- Her album 'Polyhymnia' was inspired by and dedicated to influential women, each track accompanied by original artwork[5].
- She has performed with a wide range of artists, from Radiohead to Lee Scratch Perry, reflecting her versatility across genres[1][2].
- Ahmed initially did not consider a professional music career, only realizing its possibility after years of study and performance[4].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Terry (maternal grandfather) - Early inspiration; jazz trumpeter who played with John Dankworth, Ronnie Scott, and Tubby Hayes (N/A (family influence)) [Childhood]
- Kenny Wheeler - Stylistic influence; admired for pure sound and phrasing (Blue Camel (Rabih Abou-Khalil album featuring Wheeler)) [Formative years]
- Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Tubby Hayes - Inspirational figures in jazz; formative listening influences (General jazz repertoire) [Childhood and studies]
Key Collaborators
- Radiohead - Studio recording and performance (The King of Limbs (sessions), live performances) [2011–2012]
- Lee Scratch Perry - Studio recording and live performance (Various collaborative projects) [2010s]
- These New Puritans - World tour and studio recording (Field of Reeds (album), live tours) [2013–2014]
- Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra - Guest soloist and composer (Live performances) [2010s]
- Janek Gwizdala - Recording and experimentation with Arabic scales (Duet on 'So What', debut album sessions) [2008–2011]
Artists Influenced
- Numerous young jazz musicians, especially women and those of Middle Eastern heritage - Ahmed is cited as an inspiration for her genre-blending approach and advocacy for women in jazz (Polyhymnia (album inspired by influential women)) [2017–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| A Paradise In The Hold | 2025-02-28 | Album |
| La Saboteuse | 2017-05-12 | Album |
| Honk If You're Sad | 2022-04-29 | Album |
| Finding My Way Home | 2011-08-01 | Album |
| Polyhymnia | 2019-10-11 | Album |
| Finding My Way Home | 2011-08-01 | Album |
| Honk If You're Sad | 2022-04-29 | Album |
| La Saboteuse | 2017-05-12 | Album |
| The Water Wheel | 2025-11-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Losing You
- Losing You (Richard Russell Is Temporary)
- No More Rehearsals (Richard Russell Is Temporary)
- Into The Night
- Though My Eyes Go To Sleep, My Heart Does Not Forget You (A Paradise In The Hold)
- Bloom (La Saboteuse)
- Carry Me
- She Stands On the Shore (A Paradise In The Hold)
- A Paradise In The Hold (A Paradise In The Hold)
- Chandler (Honk If You're Sad)
External Links
Tags: #arabic, #arabic-jazz, #experimental
References
Heard on WWOZ
Yazz Ahmed has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2025 | 22:09 | Waiting For The Dawn - rLr Remixfrom Waiting For The Dawn (rLr Remix) | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |