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Out February 17, 2026 | Recorded between Los Angeles and Spain

Euro-Caribbean-American singer-songwriter Amana Melome’ returns with Recalibration, her first full-length album in several years, arriving February 17, 2026. Rooted in her family’s jazz lineage and expanded by a life lived across continents, Recalibration captures a powerful new era of reflection, resilience, and renewal.

Born in Germany and raised across several continents, Amana Melome’ has always carried a global perspective in both voice and vision. She comes from one of the most storied jazz families in modern history. Her grandfather, Jimmy Woode, was the youngest musician ever hired by Duke Ellington, and went on to perform with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, and other icons who shaped the language of jazz. Music is not simply Amana’s heritage, it is her mother tongue.

After returning to the United States for university and graduating from New York University, Amana moved to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic career. There she met producer Saverio “Sage” Principini, with whom she recorded her debut album Indigo Red and its follow-up Phoenix Rising. The projects feature world-renowned musicians including Vinnie Colaiuta, Reggie Hamilton, and Alessandro Alessandroni, whose contributions helped shape the rich, soulful, and cosmopolitan sound for which she has become known.

Released independently in the United States by Savana Records, Indigo Red made history as the first album ever distributed by Whole Foods Market, and was later released in Europe by Italy’s IRMA Records (2008). While promoting the album in Italy, Amana was chosen to play herself in the lead role of the country’s beloved hit sitcom Un medico in famiglia, an unexpected moment that widened her international visibility and performance opportunities.

Her live résumé is equally expansive. Amana has headlined festivals and high-profile events across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia, and has performed for global luxury brands including Fendi, Antinori, Robert Mondavi, and Christian Dior. With a sound that moves effortlessly between jazz, neo-soul, folk, and world music, her performances are known for their emotional elegance and intercultural resonance.

After years of constant touring, Amana shifted her focus to motherhood and family life, while also reconnecting with her longstanding love of visual art. She is married to Johan Eriksson, son of the late legendary football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. This quieter chapter deepened her creative philosophy, rooted in the belief that music, art, and movement are all expressions of the same inner truth. Multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary, she creates with the intention of reminding audiences of their interconnectedness, a thread that has defined every era of her career.

Now, Amana returns with Recalibration, recorded between Los Angeles and Spain. The album marks a powerful new chapter characterized by reflection, resilience, and renewal. Grounded in her family’s jazz heritage and expanded by her global identity, Recalibration explores themes of inner strength, introspection, and healing. It is a rebirth with warmth and intention, reaffirming that Amana Melome’ continues to evolve while staying true to the soulful, jazz-rooted honesty at the heart of her work.

RECALIBRATION (Album)

Release date: February 17, 2026
Recorded: Los Angeles + Spain
Genres: Jazz, neo-soul, folk, world

About Amana Melome’

Amana Melome’ is a Euro-Caribbean-American singer-songwriter whose music blends jazz tradition, soulful storytelling, and global influence. Born in Germany and raised across several continents, she carries forward a generational jazz legacy while forging a sound that is intimate, cinematic, and emotionally honest.

Norfolk County Council has confirmed that it will press ahead with plans to build two new special schools in the county. 

The council has written to the Government to say it wants to move forward with the two new schools, at Downham Market and Great Yarmouth, rather than accept an alternative option to fund places at existing schools. 

Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, has today signed the decision agreeing to the proposal. 

She said: “I am so pleased that we can now proceed with these schools. There’s been a lot of hard work to get to this place, particularly from our officers, and I know that children and families will really welcome these extra specialist places in their communities. 

“I am grateful to everyone that has given their views as part of this process and has supported our efforts to get the funding released by the Government. The schools mean that more children with special educational needs will be able to learn near to their homes and that is at the heart of our strategy to improve learning for children with additional needs. 

“We know that most children can flourish in mainstream schools, with the right support, but for those with more complex needs there is still a need for specialist places like these.” 

The council successfully made the case for the schools more than two years ago, but a change of Government meant that funding had been put on hold, pending a review. 

Members and officers had been pushing for the release of the funding and heard in December that the schools could go ahead, but with an alternative option on the table. 

The Department for Education wrote to the council saying it could instead pay the council £13,685,500 to develop extra places in existing schools. 

With two new schools costing an estimated £40m, the council wanted reassurance that if it went ahead with the original plans the Government would cover the full cost. This was confirmed last month, with Cllr Carpenter saying she was now “minded to approve” the schools, pending the completion of the correct democratic process. 

A report has since been to the council’s Children, Families and Community Select Committee where there was unanimous support for the schools. Feedback from the public, via social media and email, has also shown overwhelming support for the schools and the Schools Forum and the two schools’ academy trusts are keen to press ahead. 

The schools will be led by Unity Trust, in Great Yarmouth, and Eastern Learning Alliance, in Downham Market. The Great Yarmouth school will support 170 children with learning disabilities, whilst the Downham Market School school will cater for 100 children with complex communication and interaction difficulties. 

The council received more than 750 emails in support of the Downham Market school via an online campaign. However, it was unable to respond to them individually as they came from a no reply email address. All of these views were considered in reaching a decision. 

Cllr Tony White, County Councillor for Downham Market, said: “It is excellent news that we are on our way to getting these schools built. The council has pushed hard for this to happen, and parents and children have been waiting and hoping for positive news.” 

The two new schools are part of Norfolk County Council’s Local First Inclusion programme, which aims to ensure more children with special educational needs and disabilities can learn in their local area. 

The programme is focused on mainstream inclusion and is wrapping support around mainstream schools so that they can meet the needs of more children with SEND. At the same time, it is increasing specialist places, via bases in mainstream schools and special schools, to ensure there is the right support for those with the greatest needs. 

Norfolk County Council has approved its budget for 2026–27 following a meeting of full council today.

The budget delivers a balanced financial position, with £42.3 million in savings and efficiencies and £76.3 million of targeted investment to support essential services and strengthen Norfolk’s economy.

Councillors also agreed a 4.998% increase in council tax, reflecting the Government’s funding assumptions for the year and the continuing reliance on local taxation to maintain core services.

Councillor Andrew Jamieson, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said:

“This is a budget based on fiscal responsibility, a long-term strategy, grounded in realism and discipline.

It reflects the financial environment we are operating in, not the one we would like to be in. It protects and develops essential services while continuing to invest in Norfolk’s future.

Local government has faced nearly two decades of constrained funding alongside rapidly rising demand. The scale of savings is unprecedented – and it becomes harder every year.

This budget has required difficult decisions and new ways of working across every part of the organisation – but it is a budget that is deliverable, responsible, and honest.”

The budget was approved with a vote of 39 for, 3 abstentions, and 13 against.

An apprentice veterinary nurse who triumphed in her exams and assignments despite significant health issues was among those celebrated at the Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026.

Mia Hutchinson, 30, who works at Dereham Vets in Toftwood, was named Apprentice of the Year – Advanced Level (Level 3) – the most hotly-contested category in the annual awards, attracting more than half of all the entries.

She was one of 12 winners announced at the ceremony held during National Apprenticeship Week at Norwich City Football Club on Wednesday 11 February. Headline sponsor for the event was East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, and category sponsors included City & Guilds, Amazing Apprenticeships and the Association of Apprentices.

The judges heard how Mia had excelled in her previous role at CVS UK, Larwood and Kennedy Practice in Dereham. She achieved distinctions in every clinical exam and assignment and completed her apprenticeship four months early despite significant ill health. Her former employer commented: “Mia hasn’t let her illness define her… to excel in all 12 exams is truly phenomenal.”

Receiving her award, Mia said: “I feel that before starting this job, I wouldn’t have maybe considered an apprenticeship as an older student. But you can go for it at any age.”

Also recognised was Matt Rowe, a Property Maintenance Apprentice with Flagship Housing, who won Apprentice of the Year – Intermediate Level (Level 2). Judges heard how well Matt had performed in his Level 2 apprenticeship, mastering plumbing, joinery, tiling, and electrical awareness, with his nominee saying his reliability and positive attitude made him “a true ambassador for his trade”.

“Definitely go for it,” said Matt after receiving his award. “There are people out there that are willing to help you, even though you don’t think they are. I was academic but I didn’t like school, I didn’t like classrooms. So, it was a trade, and I couldn’t really pick which one and I ended up doing all of them and now I’m here. So, you’ve got to pick what you want and then you’ve just got to go for it.”

Other winners in this year’s awards were:

Molly Shreeve, Magdalen Medical Practice: Apprentice of the Year – Higher Level (Level 4-5)

Lucy Elliott, Aviva: Achievement in Exceptional Circumstances

Chloe Denholm: Mentor or Manager of the Year

DWP/King’s Lynn JobCentre Plus: Apprenticeship Advocate

Aviva plc: Large Apprenticeships Employer of the Year

Bill Cleyndert & Company, Medium-Sized Apprenticeships Employer of the Year

Rebekah Girling, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital: Impact Award

Plantscape Tree Services: Contribution to Green Apprenticeships

Able2B: Micro and Small Apprenticeships Employer of the Year

Francesca Hubbard: Apprentice of the Year – Degree Level (Level 6-7)

Katy Dorman, Apprenticeship Strategy Manager at Norfolk County Council said: “The awards are a powerful reminder of the impact Apprenticeships can have on individuals and businesses alike. Beyond the celebration of the individual award winners, these awards reflect something else quite special.

“As the Chairman of Norfolk County Council Cllr Tom Fitzpatrick started the awards ceremony by reminding us; ‘Apprentices thrive because someone supports them. Tonight we celebrate not just individual achievement, but the network of people who lift each other up’. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners!”

Bentley Motors today announced that Angus Fitton has been appointed Chief Communications Officer with responsibility for all global product and corporate communications as well as internal communications at the manufacturer of luxury cars based in Crewe, England. He succeeds Wayne Bruce who moves to a new role within Bentley as Director of Visitor Experience and Heritage. Both will report to Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.

Angus joins Bentley from Porsche Cars North America where he held the position of Vice President of PR based in Atlanta for seven years. Prior to this, he led communications at Porsche Cars Great Britain before relocating with his family to the United States, meaning his move to Crewe will mark a return to the United Kingdom. A life-long car enthusiast, he has occupied communications roles at Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Volkswagen having transitioned into PR from an early career in journalism – a path similar to that taken by Wayne Bruce.

During his time at Porsche, Angus contributed to several ambitious and exciting projects – including ‘Edith’, a special Porsche 911 that climbed a volcano to set a world altitude record, a project that was the idea of (and led by) Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.

Wayne Bruce, who Angus replaces, will be appointed Director of Visitor Experience and Heritage after more than six years in the communications role. In this new position, Wayne will be responsible for growing the visitor and customer offering around the Crewe site, while continuing with lead responsibility for the Heritage Collection he first instigated, with more exciting developments being planned for the future. He also remains as Head of the Bentley Foundation.

Commenting on the appointments, Frank said: “Wayne has been an exceptional steward of Bentley’s global communications, shaping our voice through a period of significant transformation for the brand. I want to thank him for his leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to Bentley Motors.

“As we look to the future, I am delighted to welcome Angus Fitton as our new Chief Communications Officer. Angus brings deep industry experience, a modern strategic mindset, and a passion for storytelling that aligns perfectly with our ambitions. Under his leadership, I am confident that Bentley’s communications will continue to evolve, inspire, and reflect the pioneering spirit that defines our company.”

“I am grateful to Frank and the board of Bentley Motors for this opportunity to join an incredible team at an exciting moment for the brand,” said Angus. “Wayne and his communications team have delivered extraordinary work and I look forward to getting started and building on the fantastic example he has set.”

Both appointments will be effective from Monday 16 March allowing Angus time to understand exactly how his classic 1968 Dodge Charger will find its way to Crewe. Meanwhile, Wayne’s collection of Audis continue to plough up and down the M6 motorway.