The big names taking part Publicity image

Peter Bacon reports:

A fundraising gala concert is being organised to support the National Youth Jazz Collective. It’s called Jazz For The Future and it’s at 8pm (doors open 6.30pm) on 29 April at Pizza Express Jazz Club in Dean Street.

On the bill are Liane Carroll, John Etheridge, Tim Garland, Laura Jurd, Mark Lockheart, Orphy Robinson, Ian Shaw, Cleveland Watkiss, Norma Winstone, Jason Yarde and BBC Young Musician of the Year, Alex Ridout. They will join NYJC vice president Julian Joseph, and others. The concert curator is NYJC’s award-winning Artistic Director, Issie Barratt.

The press release states:

“All funds raised will go to supporting the annual NYJC Summer School. NYJC provides music education across the country for youngsters of school age, to enable them to play by ear in small groups: to learn, improvise, compose, arrange and lead bands. The amazing Annual Summer School selects 45 of the nation’s best young jazz musicians from a 16 day audition tour, to play in ensembles supported by 15 world class professional jazz musicians.”

Issie Barratt said, “Our aim is to help young jazz musicians of school age become the best. We have a long list of alumni, many of whom have become top class professional musicians and household names in the jazz community. Some are in the line up for this unique event.
“We are grateful to all the musicians for offering their services and to Ross Dines of the Pizza Express Jazz Club for providing the venue for what will be a truly memorable event.”

Tickets cost £36 and are available on the Pizza Express Jazz Club website