ABOUT KEYNA
Keyna Wilkins is a pioneering Australian/British composer-musician. She was one of three finalists for the Australian Art Music Awards for Individual Excellence in 2021 and 2018 (APRA/AMCOS). Her music has been described by The Sydney Morning Herald as "arresting, genre-blurring...disquieting music with massive breadth and high drama", by Limelight Magazine as "Debussy, Miles Davis and flamenco in equal parts...an irresistible mix" and Jazz in Europe as "creating soundtracks for the biggest issues in our time". She has written over 60 art music works that are performed internationally and published by Wirripang, has been featured on ABC, and writes music for film and theatre. Having released 10 albums of original music, she performs regularly as an innovative soloist and improviser and leader of cutting edge ensembles around the world and has been described by Jazz Journal UK as "a powerhouse player".
Stylistically broad, her music embarks on a journey of impressionistic dream-like sequences alongside landscape depictions, existential spiritual quests, and whimsical gestures alongside driving rhythms, characterised by a passion for human rights, a fascination with astronomy, Indigenous First Nations culture, jazz, dance forms and intuitive improvisation. In 2021 and 2022 Wilkins has collaborated with 6 refugees detained for 9 years by the Australian government via zoom from their prison cells, victims of Australia's mandatory detention laws. Wilkins has full representation with the Australian Music Centre and has five tunes in the Australian Jazz Realbook.
Her major works include a triple flute concerto, a flute concerto and a didgeridu concerto, "Celestial Emu", which she wrote in collaboration with leading didgeridu soloist, Gumaroy Newman, and was performed by The Metropolitan Orchestra in 2020. Sydney Arts Guide describes the premiere: "To hear the unmistakable reference to First Nations song so well pitted against TMO’s Western Art Music instruments creating such evocative cells of expression with humility and sincerity in new music devoid of borrowings from tribal repertoire was a touching, inspiring and admirable step forward. it received an extended and hearty standing ovation and will add tremendously to our orchestral music canon." She also presents workshops and lectures on her own method of teaching improvisation for self-expression, performance confidence and orignal composition at conferences and universities in Australia and USA. More info: www.keynawilkins.com
Stylistically broad, her music embarks on a journey of impressionistic dream-like sequences alongside landscape depictions, existential spiritual quests, and whimsical gestures alongside driving rhythms, characterised by a passion for human rights, a fascination with astronomy, Indigenous First Nations culture, jazz, dance forms and intuitive improvisation. In 2021 and 2022 Wilkins has collaborated with 6 refugees detained for 9 years by the Australian government via zoom from their prison cells, victims of Australia's mandatory detention laws. Wilkins has full representation with the Australian Music Centre and has five tunes in the Australian Jazz Realbook.
Her major works include a triple flute concerto, a flute concerto and a didgeridu concerto, "Celestial Emu", which she wrote in collaboration with leading didgeridu soloist, Gumaroy Newman, and was performed by The Metropolitan Orchestra in 2020. Sydney Arts Guide describes the premiere: "To hear the unmistakable reference to First Nations song so well pitted against TMO’s Western Art Music instruments creating such evocative cells of expression with humility and sincerity in new music devoid of borrowings from tribal repertoire was a touching, inspiring and admirable step forward. it received an extended and hearty standing ovation and will add tremendously to our orchestral music canon." She also presents workshops and lectures on her own method of teaching improvisation for self-expression, performance confidence and orignal composition at conferences and universities in Australia and USA. More info: www.keynawilkins.com
