Meet the graduate who is using music and art to drive societal change
Hannabiell Sanders (PhD in Music Performance 2016, Masters in Music Performance 2010) has performed across the globe sharing her passion for music and social justice while building communities and addressing issues of inequality.
11 October 2024
Hannabiell Sanders, an African American Jamaican born in New Jersey, is a trombonist, African and Latin hand percussionist and composer. She is a progressive music teacher who strives to teach her students different ways of using their voices to build unified communities through music. We spoke to Hannabiell about her experiences in the music industry and co-founding the first Afro Fusion Arts festival in the North East of England.
From trombonist to activist: A journey in music education, cultural exploration, and community empowerment
My musical career began at age nine as a trombonist, leading me to study music at Norfolk State University and later graduate with a BFA in Music Education from Rutgers University. After starting as a music teacher in Trenton, New Jersey, I became aware of the disparities faced by inner-city youth and realised that I needed to be able to offer more than what my music education in western classical music could offer.
This led me to work with various communities in the U.S. and eventually move to Durban, South Africa, to explore diverse musical cultures. My creative practice, rooted in African American vernacular, is driven by my experience as a black feminist, focusing on the intersection of music, activism, and social justice, with a deep commitment to community building.
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Our music is an organic blend of powerful and upbeat drums, brass, vocal chants, and mbira compositions that summons audience participation
I am the musical director and composer for Hannabiell & Midnight Blue (HMB) and Ladies of Midnight Blue (LoMB), where I have self-produced two albums, With Us (2012) and Protest Culture (2013). My partner, Yilis del Carmen Suriel, a multimedia artist and educator with an MA in Fine and Studio Arts, co-manages both projects. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Yilis moved to the U.S. at age nine and is passionate about using art to empower communities and promote social change. Together, we lead workshops, performances, and collaborative projects that integrate music, visual arts, and community engagement. Our shared vision is to create inclusive, transformative spaces that celebrate cultural diversity and advocate for social justice, using art and activism to inspire and mobilise communities toward a more equitable world.
Hannabiell & Midnight Blue combines drums, brass, and vocal chants to create an energetic, participatory experience. Since January 2022, we’ve performed at venues and festivals like Shambala Festival, TEDx Newcastle, EFG London Jazz Festival, and Green Man Festival. Ladies of Midnight Blue, our Afro-Latin percussion and brass duo, blends trance-inducing drum rhythms with melodic sounds and has performed at events such as Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival, Belfast Mela, Koko, EFG London Jazz Festival, Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Festival, and Newcastle Pride.
Harambee Pasadia: Pioneering the North East's first Afro Fusion Arts Festival
In 2013, driven by our belief in everyday activism, Yilis and I co-founded Harambee Pasadia, the first Afro Fusion Arts festival in the Northeast of England. The festival's name, derived from Swahili and Spanish, means "let’s get together and spend the day." It’s a four-day family camping extravaganza that celebrates the rich cultural fusions found within the African diaspora.
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Through Harambee Pasadia, we have created a space for artists and communities to celebrate the diverse cultures and fusions within the African & Afro Latin Diaspora were world-renowned performers and practitioners showcase their work, while also promoting the arts as a means of social change and civic engagement.
Looking ahead: touring and expanding my impact
My plans are to continue touring regularly nationally and internationally with my solo project, and my two bands' Ladies of Midnight Blue and the Hannabiell & Midnight Blue Collective. I would like for our tours to include an element of education and giving back through workshops/lessons/free concerts when we travel to certain cities, countries, and rural areas in the UK, USA, Africa, EU, and the Caribbean. Our next HMB album Rise Up will be released later this year.
Don’t be afraid to take unconventional routes and stay curious to achieve success
Cultivate strong networks and meaningful connections, keeping your word, leading with integrity and treating people with respect are keys to success.
Recognise that success doesn’t follow a linear path and don’t be afraid to take unconventional routes.
Commit to be a lifelong learner and don’t be afraid to say you don’t know. Stay curious and continuously seek knowledge.
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