Performing at London Jazz Festival 2022
Our LJF Collective onstage at the Fellowship Inn. Photo by Keith Sykes
This autumn we worked with schools across Bexley and Bromley to form 2022’s London Jazz Festival Collective. Some young people were joining us for the first time, some returned from previous years, and all of us were excited to create original music around the theme of wellbeing for this year’s festival.
Listen to our playlist, and find out more about our collectives below:
Working with our music leaders Rahel, James, Naomi, Ashley and guest artist Jelly Cleaver, we produced four tracks: Lost Star, Inky Paper, Call You Back and Peace. Our collectives performed these at Bellingham’s Fellowship Inn as part of a showcase of young musicians, and at Southbank Centre during London Jazz Festival as part of the London Lineup.
Photo by Keith Sykes
Photo by Keith Sykes
Both performances came after months of discussions, rehearsals and workshopping ideas, during which time our young people experimented with playing new instruments, exploring songwriting techniques and developing their stagecraft. It was fantastic to see the audience packed out for each show, singing along, applauding and supporting our collectives, thank you to everyone who joined us!
Photo by Keith Sykes
Photo by Keith Sykes
Hear some feedback from our young people below, reflecting on how much preparation takes place behind the scenes to create such engaging and moving original music in a short space of time:
“I was a little bit nervous, but I’m quite glad by the end, I’ve seen everyone grow. I really enjoyed performing. I loved the compositions, but being on stage with everyone, and being in that performance mode, was my favourite part. It was really lovely to have this great band with such like-minded motivation.”
Photo by Keith Sykes
“I feel like I’ve developed my team work skills and just expressing my ideas and being more open.”
Photo by Keith Sykes
“I remember thinking I didn’t know anyone ... but by the end of it, we all got on so well and I’ve made some really nice friends!”
Photo by Keith Sykes
We’d like to say a big thank you to all of our participants, our workshops leaders, Serious, The Churchill Theatre in Bromley, The Exchange in Erith, The Fellowship Inn in Bellingham, Arts Council England and of course - the EFG London Jazz Festival. See you next year!