I have over 20 years’ experience as a professional creative – as a writer, musician and photographer – and I love to support others in their creative goals and dreams. Here are some highlights of my work in all these areas:
WRITING
I have written scripts, jokes, sketches and parody songs for stage, screen, podcasts, radio and TV – including for long-running topical comedy theatre show Newsrevue (Canal Cafe Theatre London, and for its Edinburgh Festival run), The Treason Show (pictured; various locations, Brighton) and Radio 4’s flagship comedy panel show The News Quiz. I have also written and performed stand-up comedy at The Pun Run (The Phoenix, London). In 2022, I was selected to be a BAFTA Connect member – a new initiative supporting future creative leaders.
I was the head writer on the acclaimed political comedy podcast Strong & Stable. It made the end-of-year Podcasts Of The Year lists in both The Guardian and The Independent, and was called “outstanding” by the Radio Times. Listen to episode S1 E1 here:
You can read more about my writing here.
MUSIC
I’m a jazz singer (and sometime pianist) who’s performed at venues, festivals and events all over the UK, including at London’s 606 Club, The Ritz, Kensington Palace, Pizza Express Jazz Club and the Oxford Jazz Festival.
I’ve also written dozens of parody songs for the award-winning stage shows Newsrevue and The Treason Show, and an 80s jukebox musical script.
My self-produced album ‘Photograph’ was a Staff Pick on Rhapsody.com and its original track Yosemite was chosen as ‘Download Of The Day’ on AllAboutJazz.com, receiving over 5,000 downloads to date.
You can read more about my music here – and you can listen to extracts from my album below (click on the Spotify logo or the link above to hear the full album):
Reviews for ‘Photograph’:
“The new jazz vocalist on the block’s debut set impresses – Andrea Mann’s charming debut finds her relaxed and assured jazz vocals slide effortlessly above the smooth backing supplied by a crack team of London- and Oxford-based jazz musos. The choice of material certainly makes for an interesting menu, one which sees standards sitting alongside cool interpretations of mainstream pop/rock gems… Class.” – Musician magazine
“A silky and romantic singing voice combined with an elegant, gorgeous ensemble of elite musicians… Andrea Mann represents the next generation of female vocalists… This is more than just a standard jazz vocal album.” – Tower Records.com
“Mann handles American standards with ease, but she chooses her repertoire carefully… as with her fine original, Yosemite, Andrea Mann swings through an old profession in new and beguiling ways.” – Nick Dedina, Jazz editor, Rhapsody.com (‘Staff Pick’)
“This is the fascinating debut from Andrea Mann, an outstanding talent with the kind of elegance and taste other singers lack… With this debut album, she instigates the second coming of singers such as Diana Krall and Julie London.… Andrea has abundant talent… This is classic jazz.” – HMV Japan
PHOTOGRAPHY
My photographs (including some of the ones below) have been published in The Guardian, Architecture Week and Marketing Week, and I’ve been shortlisted for the UK’s Landscape Photographer Of The Year competition. Several of my photographs were chosen for the Photomonth Live and Spectrum Project exhibitions in London.
SUPPORTING FELLOW CREATIVES
SPEAKING & MORE – I have spoken about writing and creativity on panels at many conferences and events, including The Writers’ Guild Of Great Britain, Craft Of Comedy Writing Conference, Writing East Midlands and the London Screenwriters’ Festival. I have twice been a judge for the Funny Women Awards.
I recently gave this guest lecture to final year students on the BA Global Creative Industries degree at the University of Leeds. I also took part in the university’s first Creative Life Stories event, helping and advising students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to pursue a career in the creative/cultural sector.
“Thank you for the lecture you held for my class this morning. Hearing your perspectives on life as a creative, and your journey towards pursuing a career as a freelance writer, was immensely inspiring as I am an aspiring writer myself. Your authenticity, encouragement, and honesty made me feel validated for my dreams, and I could see a lot of myself in your experiences, manners, and beliefs.” – University of Leeds student
“Your presentation was absolutely inspiring and exactly what I was hoping for. You neatly fleshed out the human/creative elements of the working life on which these young people are about to embark. Your presentation could not have been better if I had written it myself!” – University of Leeds lecturer
I wrote articles with advice and tips about all kinds of aspects of creativity – from setting goals to dealing with failure – for the women’s website Standard Issue; I now post about these things on the ‘Musings’ section of my website.
WRITE-IN / MENTORING – I love encouraging people in their creativity, and informally mentor several emerging writers.
I also run a fortnightly ‘Write-in’ in my hometown of Ilkley, West Yorkshire – a friendly, supportive space where writers of all kinds can work in company. Read more about the Write-In here.
“Just the right amount of companionship and conversation for this writer… Thanks to Andrea Mann for the time, space & encouragement to keep writing.“ – Harriet, writer
“This is what brought me to a writing group at a café in Ilkley, sat around a table with 6 strangers, gradually learning their stories, having a new experience, being this best version of me, challenging and enjoying, making this bright November day something new and exciting, a little out of the ordinary, an experience to be valued.” – Alex, coach
“I am so grateful to Andrea for reading my work, writing extensive notes, and for her kindly, thoughtful mentoring. My writing has really improved in both structure and flow and I could not be happier with its progress.” – Kathy, author
“Andrea is truly inspirational. Not only has she so generously shared her own remarkable creative journey but she has always encouraged me to keep writing and learning. She has been a crucial accountability buddy and mentor over the years, encouraging me to hit deadlines and giving great notes. Her passion for creativity is embodied in how she talks about the arts and I always feel so full of energy and support as soon as we connect. I’m eternally grateful to have Andrea in my corner.” – Anton, writer
WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCILLOR – For three years as a Labour Councillor on Westminster City Council – a borough whose boundaries included London’s famous West End – I was the Shadow Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture & Leisure. I spoke regularly about the importance of creativity and the arts, advocated for better access to culture for local communities and more support for live arts, and shaped the Labour Group’s arts and culture policy.
