Her master's dissertation was on "Combining SSM (Soft systems methodology) and DESM (Discrete event simulation)". She graduated with a first-class degree. Brown gained a further master's degree in Methods of Social Research, followed by four years of Ph.D. study in management science, before taking a hiatus from her thesis on "Multi Methodology" to pursue her music career.[5]
Career
In 2008, Brown was a MOBO "Best Jazz" and UMA winner.[9] In 2009, Brown became the first musician to not only be nominated in the "Best Jazz" category of the MOBOs in consecutive years, but also the first to win it two years running.[5]
In February 2012, Brown released her first album April Showers May Flowers. That year, she also kicked off a UK and overseas tour in support of the album with two concerts at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo accompanied by her full band and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Brown's second album entitled Love Politics War was released on 16 June 2017. The album features original compositions blending reggae, jazz and soul, labelled somewhat tongue-in-cheek as "Posh Reggae".[10]
Brown in 2018
Brown's 20 episode BBC series, YolanDa's Band Jam[11] began transmission on CBeebies on 26 January 2019. The show consists of Brown inviting star guests to play along with a live audience of children aged five to seven. Brown is a regular guest presenter on BBC Radio 4's programme Loose Ends with Clive Anderson[12] She also presented a documentary on Williams Syndrome for the station.[13]
The Department of Education and DCMS in 2021, invited Brown to sit on the advisory panel for the National Plan for Music Education (NPME),[14] In June 2022, she was appointed by the Secretary of State Nadine Dorries, as National Council Member[15] at Arts Council England In July 2022, Brown was appointed chair of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[16]
October 2022 saw Brown receive a BAFTA nomination in the Best Presenter category.[17] In 2023, Brown made plans to open an Islington music venue and restaurant called Soul Mama, after raising funds on Kickstarter.[18]
In January 2018, Brown was appointed Chair of Youth Music, a national charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances.[20][21] Since 2017, Brown has been a BBC Music Ambassador. She is also a celebrity ambassador for The Prince's Trust, Children & the Arts, Plan UK, Place2Be, World Child Cancer and London Music Fund.
The YolanDa Brown Music Award in conjunction with the University of East London (UEL) provides financial support specifically to final-year students studying BSc (Hons) Music Technology or BA (Hons) Music Production and Culture at UEL. The award is available to up to four UEL students and provides them with funds toward studio time or music equipment. This was the first project from the YolanDa Brown Foundation.
In May 2018, Brown launched the London Saxophone Festival, an annual celebration of the saxophone through concerts, film, workshops and more. Featured artists included Bob Reynolds from Snarky Puppy and Casey Benjamin from the Robert Glasper Experiment. The second edition took place in June 2019 and the 2020 edition was postponed as a result of COVID-19.