photo credit: Greg de Wode

Saxophonist, composer and multi-wind instrumentalist Tamar Osborn, a.k.a. Tamar Collocutor, is perhaps best known as bandleader and creative force behind modal jazz ensemble Collocutor (On The Corner Records). 

Having so far released three albums and an EP with her group, she is also a long-standing member of the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, a founder member of Flock, Unknown to Known and the London Odense Ensemble, performs and collaborates regularly with Sarathy Korwar, Jessica Lauren, Emanative and DJ Khalab, and is an in-demand session musician.

Tamar studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has been a professional freelancer for 20+ years. A background in both classical music and jazz, and an interest in learning about other musical traditions and cultures, have enabled her to work in many different genres and contexts around the world – recently touring worldwide with contemporary/Indian classical dancer Akram Khan’s ‘Xenos’, she has also spent many years improvising alongside DJs as well as working with artists as diverse as Kelis, Van Morrison, Rhye, tabla maestro Tanmoy Bose, and the Africa Express project with Tony Allen, Baaba Maal, Rokia Traore and Fatoumata Diawara amongst others. She also performed in the acclaimed London productions of the Fela! musical at the National Theatre and Sadler’s Wells.

Composing for Collocutor in particular has allowed her to bring together these many varied experiences, and explore commonalities and meeting points between different traditions and genres.

Tamar also hosts a monthly show on Soho Radio in her guise as ‘Tamar Collocutor’, exploring her musical interests and influences, and interviewing musicians and others involved in the industry.