Camilla began playing aged 11 winning a music lesson and saxophone lessons. Camilla has studied with jazz greats such as sax giant, Jean Toussaint, Tony Kofi, Christian Brewer, Julian Siegal and Martin Speake.
In 2012 she graduated with a Masters in Jazz from Trinity College of Music. Since 2004 Camilla has been working with Tomorrows Warriors and the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, and has lead workshops for younger members of the Warriors family.
In October 2009 she performed with Jazz Jamaica and Ernest Ranglin at London’s Ronnie Scotts jazz club. Then in 2014, Camilla again performed at Ronnie Scott’s with Jazz Jamaica for 3 consecutive nights. The performance received rave reviews and was a sell out performance. Later that year she also joined Courtney Pine’s Venus Warriors, an all female super group. Camilla George is definitely one of jazz’s Rising Stars!
Camilla George Quartet
Formed in 2014, the Camilla George Quartet, inspired by artists such as Kenny Kirkland, Wynton Marsalis, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, and Kenny Garrett, has a modern edge whilst paying homage to the jazz tradition, with a bit of calypso thrown into the mix. Their debut EP, Lunacity has been well received by fans and musicians alike, hailed as a “fresh” sound by fans.
CGQ have performed at Jez Nelson’s Jazz at the Round series at London’s Cockpit Theatre, Jazz re:freshed, The Spice of Life, Ealing Jazz Festival, Derry Jazz festival, The Crypt, Camberwell and Ray’s Jazz to name just a few venues. The band has released its debut album, ‘Isang’ pronounced E-S- A-NG (NG as in song), which is a celebration of the jazz tradition, from its African roots through to its modern forms. Isang is an old Effik/Ibibio word which means journey and symbolises the musical journey that the CGQ have embarked upon. Effik is the language of coastal southeastern Nigerians and is of particular significance as it is where Camilla was born.
The album aims to create a fusion of African, Caribbean and American influences. It will include some music inspired by West Africa but performed in the jazz medium such as Mami Wata – a driving blues written to celebrate Mami Wata, a West African spirit often taking on the form of a mermaid which is deeply rooted in the ancient tradition and mythology of West Africa. This album takes the listener on an exciting voyage from West Africa to the Caribbean and the Americas resulting in a distinctive fusion of sounds which typifies the CGQ.
“Thoroughly enjoyable” Courtney Pine
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