Solo Work
Ali is a remarkable vocalist whose style incorporates a variety of genres from gospel to folk to classical. Her music celebrates the strength of individual spirit and she draws inspiration from many sources including contemporary visionary artists (such as Barbara Hepworth) and everyday people who overcome adversity. Her current body of work called ‘Dignity’, is a response to present day slavery and trafficking. Ali works creatively with many different community groups and has created original and diverse music from these experiences. These include ‘Songs for Refugees’, and ‘Earth Songs’ written with allotment users.
Ali is a singer and songwriter with a varied and rich biography. In 2005, with Arts Council funding, she created a new piece of music for voice hand bells and djembe ‘Heaven and Earth’ which premiered at St Helen’s Church, Wakefield in May 2005. She also writes music for and sings with accapella trio Cana. Last year she represented Wakefield in Castres, France as part of the 50 year celebrations marking the twinning of the two towns. She composed new music about Wakefield for the occasion and performed them with established musicians from the area.
These are songs to touch the soul and transport listeners to another time and place. Sung with passion and pathos, Ali’s impressive vocal range and use of texture always provides music straight from the heart.
She runs St Helen’s Gospel Choir and ‘Journeying On’ Women’s Choir, and often works with other groups in the region exploring world music. She regularly facilitates Doncaster’s Quirky Choir and Hull Community Choir.
List of Works
2006
‘Dignity' - Sing out against slavery!
25 March 2007 marked 200 years to the day that a Parliamentary Bill was passed to abolish the slave trade in the British colonies. It is estimated that over 20 million people are still in forms of servitude today
‘Dignity’ is a selection of traditional and new songs, music, words and dance to challenge present day slavery. Its focus is on women and their fight for freedom from the transatlantic slave trade to the present day.
‘Dignity’ toured throughout Britain during 2006 and 2007 and played at a variety of high profile events and conferences including the Festival of Spirituality and Peace at the Edinburgh Festival, Greenbelt, Wakefield Cathedral, and St John’s Church, Hull where William Wilberforce was christened. The performance included 25 singers and musicians, and eight contemporary dancers.
Copies of the songbook and teaching CD are available for £11. Please e - mail Ali at bullivent@hotmail.com
2005
‘Heaven and Earth’
Original music for voice, handbells and djembe, celebrating the changes to 11th century St Helen’s church in Wakefield, and the life of St Helen. 30 minute performance piece. CD and DVD
‘Songs for Wakefield’
Music written about the city to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the twinning with Castres in France. Performed in France.
‘Singers and Shakers’
Songs and music to accompany West African folk stories for under 5’s. Click here for more information.
2004
Women’s Song Cycle
Original and traditional music performed and written by Ali and Jayne Cooper to celebrate International Women’s Day. Two performances at Wakefield Theatre and Elizabethan Rooms.
‘Inspirations’ – poems set to music
Includes:
‘He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven’ Performed at Nostell Priory
‘Lot’s Wife’
‘Girl in a Grey Frock’ CD ‘Cloths of Heaven’
‘Jane Jane’
‘Bells of Gray Crystal’
2003
‘Songs for Refugees’
Songs responding to photographers Rupert Martin’s exhibition of Sudanses refugees in Uganda. Also, songs inspired by creative workshops run with local asylum seekers. Performed at Borders in Leeds and Festival for Africa in Wakefield.
2002
‘Earth Songs’
Music created with allotment users in Wakefield.
CD ‘Music is Silenced’
‘Inside Outside’
A body of contemporary music to celebrate the centenary of Barbara Hepworth. Performed at Yorkshire Sculpture Park with contemporary dance. DVD.
2001 - 2005
Songs to touch the Spirit – music for Cana (acapella trio)
Original music written in 3 part harmony for performance, worship and meditation
CD ‘Cloths of Heaven’
2001
‘Good Girls’
Contemporary music for voice and violin. Performed at Hebdon Bridge Festival, Newmillerdam Pilkington Day and ‘A Bit of a Do’garden festival day.
2000
Flanshaw Lodge
Music created with elder residents at Flanshaw Lodge, Wakefield.
Download the NIACE report of the Flanshaw Lodge project (465 kb), will open in a new window.
