London Line-up

2.30pm – 3pm: Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra
Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra was formed in 2015 as part of Wandsworth Music Academy. The Music Academy is run by Wandsworth Music, a charity with an aim to provide quality music education and performance experience to young musicians in South London. Under the direction of Olly Blackman and David Boraston, the Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra tackles a huge range of big band repertoire, while honing ensemble technique, stylistic interpretation and improvisation skills.

3.45pm – 4.15pm: ArtsTrain
ArtsTrain is an Arts Council England-funded organisation hosted by health and leisure charity Mytime Active. ArtsTrain delivers creative music workshops to young people in south east London, working with community and education partners. Delivered by a team of industry professional music leaders, each workshop is fully inclusive and supports the wellbeing of participants through engaging activities. This year’s performance showcases the best new music from ArtsTrain’s 2024 Jazz Festival Collective.

5pm – 5.30pm: Youthsayers
Youthsayers is a South London based music performance and education group set up in 2016 to engage young people in exciting and challenging ensemble work. The aim is to develop group playing skills, leadership and confidence, as well as cultural appreciation and understanding. Youthsayers provides free of charge equal access, opportunities and a developmental path for all young people with an interest in learning about music performance and ensemble playing. Youthsayers is run by musicians from established recording and performance group, Soothsayers.

6.15pm – 6.45pm: Guildhall’s ImPossibilities
ImPossibilities was formed in 2013 to make music, sound, poetry and visual work inspired by Sun Ra, which would reflect how his legacy continues to inspire, decades after his departure from planet Earth. Since Guildhall School’s inception, its students have collaborated with young aspiring musicians, poets and leading international jazz musicians to create new musical hybrids under the artistic leadership of guitarist, educationalist, composer and Sun Ra archivist Paul Griffiths.