Filomena Campus

Filomena Campus is a Sardinian-born, London-based jazz vocalist, lyricist, theatre director and academic whose eclectic, cross-cultural work brings together jazz, improvisation, poetry and performance. Drawing on literature and theatre, she has developed a distinctive approach to vocality, moving between song, storytelling, and free improvisation. 

Since moving to London in 2001, Campus has performed internationally, appearing at jazz festivals and venues across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Her musical collaborations include Kenny Wheeler, Paolo Fresu, Evan Parker, Orphy Robinson, Maggie Nicols, Cleveland Watkiss, Rowland Sutherland, Jean Toussaint, Steve Williamson, Huw Warren, Byron Wallen, Ruth Goller and the London Improvisers Orchestra (Filomena features in the CD by the London Improvisers Orchestra: 'Improvisations For George Riste’).

In 2010, she founded the Filomena Campus Quartet with pianist Steve Lodder and double bassist Dudley Phillips. Their album Jester of Jazz (Egea/Sam Records), featuring drummer Winston Clifford, Jean Toussaint and Rowland Sutherland, explored the relationship between jazz improvisation and theatre. Drummer Rod Youngs joined the quartet in 2014, followed by double bassist and vocalist Charlie Pyne, completing the current line-up.

The quartet has performed at leading London jazz venues, including Ronnie Scott's, PizzaExpress Jazz Club and the Vortex, as well as at international festivals. Its projects include Italy vs England, created with the late Italian writer and satirist Stefano Benni, whose poetry and humour have played an important role in Campus's artistic development.

Campus also recorded Scaramouche with guitarist and composer Giorgio Serci, featuring the late Kenny Wheeler. The project brings together Mediterranean influences, Brazilian rhythms and elements of classical music, and features the Keld String Ensemble, Rowland Sutherland and Adriano Adewale.

Her latest album, THEATRALIA (33Jazz Records, 2026), recorded at World Heart Beat Studios in London, features Steve Lodder, Charlie Pyne and Rod Youngs. Through original compositions, the quartet explores a multilingual world in which jazz and improvisation meet theatre and poetry. The music moves between Sardinian childhood memories, mythology, female genealogy, literature and contemporary experiences of migration and identity. The album features artwork by Sardinian artist Gina Tondo and sleeve notes by acclaimed novelist Jonathan Coe.

Beyond her recordings, Campus founded the My Jazz Islands Festival in London in 2013, later renamed the Theatralia Jazz Festival. Conceived as a meeting point between Sardinian, Italian and British jazz cultures, the festival has presented musicians and artists including Paolo Fresu, Antonello Salis, Jean Toussaint, Cleveland Watkiss and Stefano Benni, alongside concerts, workshops and discussions.

Campus is the founder and Artistic Director of Theatralia, an international performance collective established in London in 2003. Its productions combine live music, literature, physical theatre, performance art and experimentation across artistic disciplines. Her directing work includes Not in My Name, inspired by the Living Theatre; U238, adapted from Marco Paolini; Credevo Che, created with novelist Simonetta Agnello Hornby; and Monk Misterioso: A Journey into the Silence of Thelonious Monk, written by Stefano Benni. Supported by Arts Council England, Monk Misterioso toured the UK and played to a sold-out audience at the EFG London Jazz Festival in 2017.

Alongside her artistic career, Campus holds a PhD from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and an MA in Theatre Directing from Goldsmiths, University of London. Campus has taught theatre directing, acting, devising, physical theatre, vocal improvisation, singing, and performance at institutions including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, East 15 Acting School, Kingston University and Drama Studio London.

Filomena Campus is a presenter on Jazz London Radio.

Awards

Her honours include the Premio Maria Carta (2009), Premio Navicella (2015), and her appointment as Cavaliera of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2023, recognising her contribution to arts and culture.

Gear

Neumann Mic + VoiceLive Touch TC Helicon