THE York World Jazz Spring 2013 season concludes tomorrow with a 7.30pm concert by British singer, cellist and composer Ayanna at the National Centre for Early Music.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson, to give this pioneer of black folk music her full name, was the first non-American to win the legendary Amateur Night Live at the Harlem Apollo, New York City.

“That was in 2010,” she recalls. “Essentially I was doing a masters in classical composition at the Manhattan School of Music and a friend encouraged me to enter. I got through four rounds spread through the year and then won it.”

What did you win, Ayanna? “The prize was a place on the first Harlem Apollo Float on the Apollo’s 75th anniversary. Gladys Knight was on there too, so that was pretty cool.” Ayanna, who was born in Highgate Archway in North London, has settled back into London, where she combines her songwriting, recording and performing career with teaching vocals at Leyton Sixth Form College, mentoring a young musician through the Amos Bursary scheme and tutoring the Kuumba Strings orchestra. Prominent in her diary at present are her recording sessions for her album.

“I’m recording at Zed One Studios in Camden, and I think it’ll take the best part of a year, finishing in September and then looking at album promotion, so realistically it won’t be out until next spring,” says Ayanna.

The album takes her “developmental progressions” to the next level after her Truthfully EP, recorded last year with 4Hero’s Marc Mac, and her imminent new single, Rise Up, a nod to her West Indian heritage.

“The song’s theme is social change and personal awakening and it kind of touches on my Jamaican roots so it’s a dancehall piece,” says Ayanna, whose grandparents left the Caribbean for a new life in Britain.

At present the single is scheduled for independent release next month. “But there’s talk of licensing it to a major label so I’m on the brink of a breakthrough,” says a hopeful Ayanna.

Before then, she has her York concert, of course: her first headline appearance in the city after opening for Cuban pianist Robert Fonseca at York Theatre Royal in March last year.

You may recall that performance. What’s On editor and reviewer Julian Cole certainly does. His review could not have been more prophetic: “A thoroughly enjoyable evening began with a support slot from Ayanna, who, like Fonseca, astonishes,” he wrote.

“She sings beautifully, accompanying herself on a cello which she slaps, plucks and bows. Definitely someone to watch out for.”

Take Julian’s tip; be there tomorrow night to see a North London talent on the rise.

• York World Jazz Spring 2013 and York Festival of Ideas present Ayanna, National Centre For Early Music, tomorrow, 7.30pm. Box office ncem.co.uk or 01904 658338.