From New York to London - Q&A with Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson

For our February double bill - 6th Feb (Brunel Museum) & 21st Feb (Shoreditch Treehouse), we are joined by clarinet virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson.

Mebrakh joined us for the first time in July last year, and by popular demand, he is back for the double! Bringing us an inspiring range of music, old and new.
You won’t want to miss the chance to catch him!

I am personally thrilled that Mebrakh is returning to join us, he is a dear friend and I have loved watching his journey - Hannah

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Welcome back Mebrkah!

We have known each other for many many years - the first gig we ever did together - you were on flute and then the 2nd gig we did you were playing sax! I have to say I was then very surprised to find out you were a first study clarinettist!

Haha - yeah! I started getting lessons on the clarinet at 14 and picked up the saxophone when I was 16 at the World Heart Beat Music Academy.  I used to join local amateur orchestras on flute to get some playing in. I play 4 woodwind instruments: clarinet, sax, flute and oboe; learning the piano is compulsory at Juilliard so now that too, I guess.

I think my favourite is the clarinet, as it was my first instrument. Studying the clarinet for my master’s kind of solidified that. 

My family has always loved music and my brother used to be in a reggae band, so I would go to his shows and see him making beats at home on logic. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I started at a Saturday music centre and decided I’d actually like to pursue a career in music.

I studied saxophone in my first year at Royal College of Music before switching to clarinet in my 2nd year to vary my career options. The performance opportunities I’ve had with Chineke! really sparked my love for chamber music. We’ve worked internationally from Paris Fashion week with Dudamel and Tyler, the Creator to Adelaide Festival, Australia. 

You're originally from London, do you think you'll stay here or head back to New York?

I like my current balance of splitting my time between the two countries. I love London; most of my family and friends are based here, plus in my controversial opinion, the food here is better…!

You have just finished your studies at Juilliard - can you tell us a bit about it, and studying with the legendary clarinet player Anthony McGill?

Juilliard was a phenomenal experience; I’m deeply and eternally grateful for all of the people that helped me get there. It was very different to my time at RCM; the education I received was so holistic and I feel like I genuinely grew as a person. It’s quite a busy and high intensity environment. Sometimes it was hard to find moments to allow yourself to create downtime, but the 9am starts and 11pm finishes on a Sunday were totally worth it!

Whilst I was the chair of student congress in my 2nd year I got to learn so much about the other art forms from fellow students and 2 particular highlights for me were my debut as principal clarinet at Carnegie Hall and performing Wynton Marsalis ‘The Fiddler’s Tale’ in collaboration with dancers and actors.

Anthony McGill is such an inspiring man! I had the privilege of premiering “Joyous Advocate” by James Lee III, in honour of Anthony, as he was receiving a well-deserved award of distinction from 92NY. He truly nurtured my self-belief and love for this profession and instrument. 

What repertoire have you chosen to play for us in February & why?

I have a real mix of contrasting repertoire…
Horovitz was an Austrian-born British composer who had studied and taught at Royal College of Music, where I did my undergraduate studies. I love the 3rd movement of his Clarinet Sonatina as he brazenly incorporates calypso and jazz elements so it’s such a blast to perform as a British Caribbean artist.

The Poulenc Sonata is a standard piece of clarinet repertoire though I am yet to perform it. I am thrilled to include it in my programme this year. The 3rd movement is so energetic and really uses the full range of the clarinet. 

James Lee III is one of my favourite living composers. His music is so dear to me and I got the privilege to meet and hang with him — he is so lovely. I find his music spiritually enriching and it is such a well written piece of music that I feel encapsulates my experience in America. 

You look like you have a busy few months ahead - what have you got coming up?

I’m super excited to join you guys again for your secret concert series at Brunel Museum (6th Feb) and at Shoreditch Treehouse (21st Feb); Shoreditch Treehouse looks stunning! 

I’m giving a full recital with my talented duo partner Kumi Matsuo on February 28th at World Heart Beat, Embassy Gardens — which I am stoked for! I’ll be performing James Lee III’s Principal Brothers No. 3, Copland Concerto, Eleanor Alberga’s Duo from Suite: Dancing with the Shadows and Brahms’ 2nd Clarinet Sonata. 

For March and April, I will be joining dance troupe A.I.M by acclaimed choreographer Kyle Abraham as baritone saxophone soloist on an American tour. I then return to join Chineke! Chamber Ensemble on a UK tour for Wynton Marsalis’ The Fiddler’s Tale!

Catch all of Mebrakh’s upcoming performance dates here.

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