Dr. Corey Mwamba was born in Derby and is based there. His passion for jazz and improvised music in Britain, Ireland and Britain drives all aspects his work. Corey plays primarily vibraphone, but he also plays dulcimer. He also uses audio processing software. He is a prolific improviser, composer and performer who has worked across many styles of jazz and contemporary music. Mwamba’s unique approach and tone are instantly recognisable no matter where he is: pure sound, melodic phrases and ethereal texture; barely whispered notes and ear-piercing robot screams. Corey was awarded a PRSF/Jerwood Foundation Take Five award for artist development in 2007. He was also shortlisted in the Innovation category of the BBC Jazz Awards 2008. In 2008, Mwamba received nominations in the 62nd and 63rd DownBeat Annual Critics’ polls for “Rising Star on Vibraphone”. Mwamba is the leader of the critically-acclaimed yana, which includes Joshua Blackmore (drums) and Dave Kane (bass). This group represents a core idea of creating “open, live music”, listening and responding spontaneously to create music that is filled with love, language, and groove. Don’t think too much about their first album. It was described by All About Jazz as “engaging” and “evocative”. (Jazzwise) Their most recent release on Two Rivers Records was baby/people. Wire Magazine called it “their strongest album yet”. Dave and Corey also formed an improvising sextet, The Spirit Farm. It was created out of research by Adam Fairhall. Mwamba and Fairhall formed a trio called Backyard Chassis with drummer Johnny Hunter. He was also part of the Anglo French quartet Sonsale, which included bassist Andy Champion and drummer Sylvain Daifourcq. Andy and Corey are also part of an improvising trio that includes Ntshuks Bonga, saxophonist. He also collaborated with Mat Maneri, a U.S. violist, and Lucian Ban, a Romanian pianist. Corey played in duos with saxophonist Rachel Musson; pianist Robert Mitchell; percussionists Martin Pyne and Walt Shaw; and the multi-instrumentalist Orphy Robinson. Corey is an honorary member the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra. Photo by Dee Byrne Corey was a member of Nat Birchall’s quintet and Martin Archer, composer and saxophonist, Engine Room Favourites and Nick Malcolm’s quartet. He performed with Simon Roth, drummer, and Nick in Our Own Decay. In March 2019, Corey Mwamba was retired from public performances. Corey Mwamba is currently the presenter of Freeness on BBC Radio 3. This programme features adventurous jazz and improvised music, from all over the world. Corey is an adventurous programmer of new music. He set up One Note Sunday, The Family Album and also programs Derby Jazz’s improvised stream, 2ndline. He is currently the chief administrator of Out Front! East Midlands-based, new music producing/promotion organization. From 2016 to 2020, he was Derby Jazz’s artistic director. Corey Mwamba is an active advocate for the arts and tries to make the case for their place in society. Corey Mwamba was a petitioner for fair pay to artists in the London Olympics. He also helped engineer a moratorium on arts funding cuts in Derby by negotiating with the city council. He has also been involved with numerous regional arts organizations. He was a board member of Derby Jazz, World Song Derby and Derby Cultural Diversity Arts Network. Attenborough Art Centre has him on its advisory board. Mwamba received an AHRC studentship to study a Master of Research degree at Keele University in Music. He was awarded a distinction for this work in 2014. He developed new dark art through his research. This is a system of notation and theory that uses early European medieval music practice to create modern music. Recently, he was awarded a doctorate of jazz research at Birmingham City University. This was made possible by a Midlands3Cities/AHRC studentship. from www.coreymwamba.co.uk
