Dr. Chinwe D. John is a poet, lyricist, author, and physician born in the U.S to Nigerian academic parents. Although born in the States, she had lived on four continents by her teenage years. This has impacted her writing style, with reviews noting ‘A child of the world whose formative years were divided among four continents, the author brings to Tales of Fantasy and Reality deep understanding of diverse cultures and traditions,…’ (Vois des arts).
Currently, Chinwe D. John together with multi-award winning Guitarist, Composer and Artistic Director of the Festival Homenaje Giacomo Susani, are collaborating on a song cycle album. This inspired collaboration explores the musical possibilities of the classic guitar, and contemporary art song.
Her previous work includes:
Critically acclaimed album ‘Songs for Our Times’ released on the Divine Art record label in 2023.
‘This remarkable project features two song cycles, Stuart MacRae's Kingdoms and Bernard Hughes' Metropolis, both featuring the words of Nigerian-American poet (and practicing medical doctor) Chinwe D. John. This disc, Songs for Our Times on the Divine Art label, includes MacRae's cycle performed by pianist Christopher Glynn and tenor Nick Pritchard, and Hughes' cycle performed by Glynn and soprano Isabelle Haile.’ Robert Hugill (Planet Hugill)
A contemporary classical music EP ‘Within a Certain Time and Place’ released in 2022, under the Voces8 label.
A project born out of passion, the lyrics of Chinwe D. John, are set brilliantly to music by Ivor Award winning composer Geoff Hannan. The songs shine under the virtuosic piano playing of award winning pianist Alisdair Hogarth, and the soaring emotional vocals of world renowned tenor and director Andy Staples.
‘I first encountered Chinwe’s writing in March 2022 when an EP of settings of some of her poems, “Within A Certain Time and Place,” was released. In an interview with me, Chinwe talked about her concerns for classical music and live concerts, especially in the light of the COVID pandemic, which had effectively silenced live concerts for nearly two years.’ Frances Wilson (Interlude HK)
A book of narrative poetry ‘Tales of Fantasy and Reality’, which was self-published in 2012.
The book is available in many respected book stores, such as Waterstones, UK and The Madeleine Lindley Book Centre (which offers the most extensive and largest selection of children's books and educational resources in the UK).
‘The poems in this collection are often misty and enigmatic, with delightful twists, surprise endings, unexpected humor, and in places, lovely language and imagery:’ (Self-Publishing Review magazine)
In 2023, Chinwe D. John created a video show called ‘How to Begin Listening to Classical Music & Hidden Gems for the Enthusiast’, which aims to offer a new listener to classical music, an accessible approach for listening to the vast amount of recorded music the genre has to offer. The show also hopes to unearth hidden gems to those who are already classical music enthusiasts. The Classical Music showcased on the video show, includes not only the Western Classical music cannon, though it is predominantly featured, but also Traditional Classical music from around the world.
Chinwe is passionate about the power and necessity of art as a way of developing our humanity, and ensuring a peaceful coexistence with the world around us.
‘As a poet writing texts for songs John has a very clear, direct voice, with the ability to craft memorable, evocative phrases and use short bursts of lyricism.’ (Planet Hugill)
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Chinwe D. John is a practicing physician in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She believes in the adage, Science heals the body, and Art heals the soul.
