The National Youth Jazz Collective has appointed Richard Wheatly as the new Chair of its Board, taking over from Martin Kemp. NYJC was founded in 2006 by its CEO and Artistic Director Issie Barratt “in collaboration with a roster of over 40 world class jazz musicians and educators”(full list of people involved). NYJC’s President is Dave Holland.

Richard Wheatly is Chair of Jazz FM, and is Director of both the Love Supreme Festival and the BIMM music colleges. Commenting on his appointment, Richard Wheatly said:

“I’m delighted to be asked to become Chair of the National Youth Jazz Collective. It’s a wonderful organisation that plays an important role in finding and inspiring the jazz talent of tomorrow. I think they have done a terrific job developing a strong regional network which organises workshops master-classes and gigs, giving young musicians access to the kind of jazz opportunities that they have never had access to before. Issie Barratt [..] has been a visionary in the field of jazz for the young and has achieved almost the unachievable.  I hope I can help her realise the ambitious plans that she and Martin Kemp [..] have developed for the organisation”

NYJC Website