Three questions from our members for Romarna Campbell

We’re doing something fun at the moment, giving our members the chance to pose some questions to some of their favourite Lancaster Jazz Festival artists!

First up, the amazing Romarna Campbell has kindly let us know what she’s been up to, what inspired her to pick up the drumsticks, and her experience as a female drummer.

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And if you’re interested in getting involved in stuff like this, find out about our membership plan.

What have you been upto since your gig at LJF in 2023?

Since the LJF 2023 show, a lot has been happening!! My trio recorded a live album at Birmingham Symphony Hall, which we are currently in the midst of finishing the last mixes before releasing.

I have been out on tour with Fever Ray, Benjamin Clementine, Rambert and LULU., and was able to compete one of my bucket list items of performing at Sydney Opera House.

And I have continued to partner with Tomorrow’s Warriors as a Music Leader for their Frontline Ensemble, focused on platforming and championing underrepresented talent through creating a space for them to connect, learn and flourish!

What influenced you to take up the drums as your instrument, do you play any other instruments?

The feeling, the joy and the happiness of playing drums is what influenced me to take up the drums. It was entirely by accident. Prior to that I was having lessons in flute, piano and guitar, Even at that young age, I understood that I loved the music but I didn’t entire love the process of playing those instruments. Then the music programme I was in has a drum workshop… That was when it all clicked!

Then when I was a little older, I used to go to Birmingham Library to find CDs and music to listen to. I used to go weekly and the librarian at the time used to always have stash of CDs he thought I would enjoy listening to. It was always 8 CDs; that was the library card limit! He suggested I listen to Max Roach and Clifford Brown: Live at Basin Street. I was 12 at the most! And it was the most magical sound to me! All I knew was that I wanted to do whatever that was!

Jazz has historically been a male-dominated genre, especially in the rhythm section. Have you ever had to challenge perceptions or carve out space for yourself in unique ways as a drummer?

Well… First and foremost, at some point I decided to not focus on it being male-dominated! That doesn’t serve the music or the art form. I wasn’t at all aware that it was this radical notion for a woman to play the drums until I was about 18 or 19 and people around me started telling me that it was super rare, and projecting the weight of that on to me!

As an artist, my job is to create, to investigate, to challenge, to grow, to push boundaries… not to judge or control people’s perceptions and interpretations. Having said that, I understand that in current society, my intersectionality is inherently political.