Tomorrow's Warriors

An introduction to the arts organisation that has been supporting new jazz talent development for over 30 years

TW +1 Sheila Maurice Grey Foyles 230526 1 LRTomorrow's Warriors

A registered charity, Tomorrow's Warriors was founded by bassist Gary Crosby OBE and Janine Irons MBE in 1991. Their vision was, and continues to be, to support and nurture young jazz talent and to work towards a jazz scene that is wholly more representative.

Janine Irons Gary Crosby Femi Koleoso Jazz FM Award (2021/2021) by JazzFMTomorrow's Warriors

Receiving the JazzFM Impact Award 2021 from Femi Koleoso

Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni includes – Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Cassie Kinoshi and Nérija, Femi Koleoso & Ezra Collective, Binker Golding, Shabaka Hutchings & Sons Of Kemet, Cherise Adams-Burnett, Eska, Denys Baptiste, Soweto Kinch, Zara McFarlane, and so many more…

I Am Warrior

Broadcaster Cerys Matthews, our music leaders, young musicians and alumni, discuss Warriors.

“Tomorrow’s Warriors have changed the musical landscape of Britain. It’s as simple as that.” Cerys Matthews, Artist & Broadcaster 

Nubya Garcia on stage at A Great Day In London (2021/2021) by Daniel DevlinTomorrow's Warriors

"I’m often asked what's shaped the current London jazz scene

Community is a big part of it, there is a sense of looking after each other & talking to each other, sharing information & celebrating each other. And that’s Warriors for sure, you know, it's not about one one person, it's making sure that you all rise together."
NUBYA GARCIA

Tomorrow's Warriors learning and development session at Southbank (2022/2022) by Graeme MiallTomorrow's Warriors

Developing the Next Generation

With sessions four days a week at the Southbank Centre in London at the heart of our development programme, more than 10,000 young musicians have benefitted from the free learning and development sessions, workshops and summer schools run by Tomorrow's Warriors.

Moses Boyd sits in (2022/2022) by Graeme MiallTomorrow's Warriors

Moses Boyd Joins a Development Session - Each One, Teach One

We champion diversity, inclusion and equality. Our pioneering Development Programme supports the early careers of young artists, with a focus on Black and female musicians and those whose financial or other circumstances might be a barrier to a career in the music industry.

Tomorrow's Warriors Frontline by Graeme MiallTomorrow's Warriors

Tomorrow's Warriors Frontline

Our development ensembles form a key part of our Learning Programme and  include the Tomorrow's Warriors Junior Band, the Youth Ensemble and Tomorrow's Warriors Frontline, a formidable 8-piece line-up of some of our finest musicians, championing the role of women in jazz.

“I know there are young people from a similar background to me who, if given the opportunities, can create great art. It’s not curriculum style, because what we’re dealing with is art. The individuals are artists, and I want to hear what they have to say about the world.” Gary Crosby OBE, Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Tomorrow’s Warriors

Gary Crosby IAW Jazz Cafe by Graeme MiallTomorrow's Warriors

I Am Warrior Live At The Jazz Café

Co-Founder Gary Crosby talking to the audience at the Warriors annual live show at the Jazz Café, Camden.

I Am Warrior Jazz Cafe 2022 V2Tomorrow's Warriors

Three Years of New Jazz Collaborations

Tomorrow's Warriors commissioned new music from our alumni to be played by our young emerging artists at our annual Jazz Café gigs.

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I Am Warrior.... Tha Album!

Over the course of three years the Jazz Café gigs were recorded and the live album was launched in October 2022.

Romarna Campbell at Black Chapel, Graeme Miall, 2022/2022, From the collection of: Tomorrow's Warriors
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Cassius Cobbson WOH, Graeme Miall, 2022/2022, From the collection of: Tomorrow's Warriors
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Nathaniel Facey and Donovan Haffner IAW Jazz Café, Graeme Miall, From the collection of: Tomorrow's Warriors
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Live performances are at the heart of every musician's development journey. Tomorrow's Warriors supports emerging artists with live gig opportunities, pathways into our professional ensembles (including Jazz Jamaica and Nu Civilisation Orchestra), and unique collaboration opportunities with some of our alumni.

Poster artwork for A Great Day In London (2021/2021) by Tomorrow's WarriorsTomorrow's Warriors

A Great Day In London

This once in a lifetime gathering of Warriors, from across our 30-year history, recognised the achievements of an exhilarating generation of jazz artists. Inspired by Art Kane’s iconic photo essay, A Great Day in Harlem, we celebrated this seismic moment in UK jazz with a truly 

The Biggest Ever Gathering of Warriors

4 December 2021, Warriors past and present gather at the Southbank Centre, London, for a photograph inspired by Art Kane's iconic image 'A Great Day In Harlem', as part of our 30 year anniversary celebrations.

“Tomorrow’s Warriors’ contribution to Jazz - not just British Jazz - has been nothing short of monumental. Their youth ensembles, Junior Band and Female Frontline, demonstrated the dizzy levels of talent rising from the next generation of young players. There’s no doubt that it was indeed a Great Day in London.” The Telegraph Review of A Great Day In London

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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