696 Resident Artists sample Horniman collection

In 2021 three of the Horniman’s 696 Resident Artists sampled the sounds of the musical instruments in the Museum’s collection.

The 696 Resident Artists who sampled directly from the collection were Afronaut Zu, Richie and Roxanne Tataei. The inspiration they drew from the Horniman’s collections fed into their own work which was part of the 696 project platforming the best new Afrobeat, Jazz, Grime, Rap, R&B, Reggae and Soul music. Their samples are available for listening and downloading here.

Hear the Resident Artists talk about their experiences at the Horniman

Afronaut Zu

Afronaut Zu is a London-based solo artist and musical collective member. His sound and approach to music is largely shaped by cultural influences and life experiences growing up in Britain, whilst also being from the African diaspora.

Afronaut Zu sampled many instruments, including the udu, djembe, lamellaphone and more.

Udu, pot drum

Igbo culture, Nigeria, Africa.

Horniman Museum number: HC.2018.126

Djembe

West Africa

Horniman Museum number: HC.1999.1245

Tabla

North India.

Horniman Museum number: HC.2013.58 (dayan), HC.2019.14.1 (Bayan)

Glockenspiel

England, UK, circa 1890.

Horniman Museum number: MT550-1998

Wooden slit drum and beater

Possibly Zande culture, East Africa.

Horniman Museum numbers: M8-1981 and 27.70a

Lamellaphone

Makonde or Mwera culture, East Africa.

Horniman Museum number: M7.12.60/3

Lamellaphone, 22.25

Makonde or Mwera culture, East Africa, before 1922.

Horniman Museum number: 22.25

Balafon

Horniman Museum number: HC.2015.22.1

Clappers

Morrocco.

Horniman Museum number: HC.1999.1190

Richie Seivwright

Richie is a vocalist, trombonist and composer, born and raised in a British-Caribbean household in South East London. A classically trained musician, Richie has since the age of 16 been active on the London jazz scene, as well as performing as a sideman for international artists including Solange Knowles and Nick Waterhouse.

Richie sampled many instruments, including the lithophone, slit drum, double bell and more.

Iron Double bell and beater

Igbo culture, Nigeria, Africa.

Horniman Museum numbers: M6.12.65/63 and 27.70a

Lamellaphone

Makonde or Mwera culture, East Africa

Horniman Museum number: M7.12.60/3

Lithophone

Cumbria, England, UK, 19th century.

Horniman Museum number: M14.7.55. Played with modern beaters

Wooden slit drum and beater

Possibly Zande culture, East Africa

Horniman Museum numbers: M8-1981 and 27.70a

Roxanne Tataei

Roxanne is a musician, composer and performance artist from South London. Having supported artists on tour including Grace Jones and Florence & The Machine, collaborating with Mark Ronson, Paul Weller and more, and releasing critically acclaimed works, Roxanne is currently exploring her main instrument, the voice, through opera and free-form.

Roxanne’s samples are of the Harpsichord. Made by Jacob Kirckman, London, 1772. Horniman Museum number: 1972.211

Harpsichord

The reference pitch of the harpsichord played here is not modern concert pitch (a’=440Hz) but is the widely used and accepted standard for modern Baroque performances using ‘authentic’ or historic instruments – one semitone lower. It is a’=415Hz.

The single 8 foot samples are the sound of one string being played on its own, while the double 8 foot samples are louder as they include two strings of the same pitch being played at once. The buffed lute stop has a set of leather pads pushed against the sounding lengths of the strings to make them sound damped.

Double 8 Foot Strings

Lute Stop Buffed

Single 8 foot