Charismatic saxophonist YolanDa Brown OBE is a versatile musician, broadcaster, author and philanthropist and is a passionate and compelling advocate for music education. A double MOBO Award winner, her music seamlessly blends elements of reggae, jazz & soul and she has toured with such iconic artists as The Temptations and Billy Ocean. She is in demand as a composer for popular children’s TV series including Sesame Street and CocoMelon Lane and was awarded an OBE in 2023 for her contributions to music, music education and broadcasting. One of YolanDa’s earliest childhood memories is of her fascination with the Bob Marley album ‘Songs of Freedom’ from her father’s extensive record collection and of playing it repeatedly. Bob Marley’s powerful and enduring music has remained a continuous thread throughout YolanDa’s career: she has incorporated his music into her setlist; visited his home in Jamaica; collaborated with his son, Julian Marley and in 2023 was invited by His Majesty King Charles III to perform Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’ at the Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey. 2025 sees YolanDa release her new album: ‘Hope Road: The Bob Marley Songbook’, honouring the 80th year since the legendary artist’s birth, putting her unique spin on Marley’s iconic hits. There is no better artist than YolanDa Brown to celebrate Bob Marley and his immense legacy in this significant anniversary year and to continue to spread throughout the world his essential message of unity, joy & inspiration through music.
