Performing at London Jazz Festival 2023
Our Collective onstage at the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre for the London Jazz Festival… wearing cool shades!
Did you know The EFG London Jazz Festival is the capital's biggest pan-city music Festival in Europe and the highlight of the jazz calendar in the UK, with over 300 shows across more than 70 venues drawing over 100,000 in live audiences?
Each year, ArtsTrain partners with Serious and the Southbank Centre to give our young people the chance to perform at the prestigious EFG London Jazz Festival. This year, despite there being an application process to perform, we were successful in securing a place at the festival. YAY! We were included in The London Line-Up, which presents young emerging artists and youth music ensembles to show just how much talent this city has to offer.
The London Line-Up poster at the Southbank Centre. (Our ArtsTrain Collective performed from 2:30-3:00 pm).
Project Introduction Day – We were honoured to have a guest artist for the project, Dave Okumu. Not only is he a phenomenal composer and guitarist working with the likes of Adele, Grace Jones and Jessie Ware, Dave was a headlining artist at the Jazz Festival! He set the theme of storytelling. Our music leaders, James, Naomi and Anoushka, guided conversations around the theme and it was an opportunity for our Bromley and Bexley Academy groups to bond and start the songwriting process together.
Weekly Sessions - Both groups took part in weekly songwriting sessions in Bromley and Bexley at the Churchill Theatre and the Exchange Erith. The young people worked very hard during rehearsal to collaborate. The groups benefited from the high production values, scale and professional producing.
Our Collective doing a line check at the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre preparing for their London Jazz Festival showcase - a little nervous but alot EXCITED!
Intensive rehearsals – There were two days of rehearsals during half term, plus two additional weekend rehearsals at Bromley Youth Theatre. We were delighted to have Dave come to the rehearsals to advise the young people, develop their musicianship and get creative in the songwriting process, exploring the theme of storytelling. We were also joined by the incredible dance artist and choreographer Temujin Gill from Grounded Moves, who led a vibrant movement workshop to develop our young musicians’ physical confidence whilst performing. All great performers, need good movement right?
Performance – The young people took to the stage on Sunday 19th November in the Clore Ballroom at the Southbank Centre. They performed original music with the theme of storytelling to a packed audience. Thank you to all our family and friends for coming to support us. This is certainly a performance we will all remember forever. We’re so proud of what our collective has achieved. This performance has ignited a fire in our young people and we can’t wait to see what they do next!
Thank You – A special thank you to all our supporters for helping this showcase happen - Mytime Active, Arts Council England, Exchange Erith, Bromley Youth Theatre and Churchill Theatre Bromley. Thank you to all the music leaders, James, Naomi and Anoushka and all the ArtsTrain staff for pulling this phenomenal showcase off.
The audience at the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre for the London Jazz Festival - So packed, there were no seats! :)
What our ArtsTrain participants are telling us on average they report a:
52% increase in their motivation.
54% increase in their confidence and independence.
56% increase in their creativity.
62% increase in their music making skills.
“I’m grateful for having the opportunity to perform my own music. I could make music in my own room, but I wouldn’t be able to just go perform it. We have the opportunities to make our own music and also show it, which is a really special thing.” - Young Person
“The ArtsTran performance stands out because it is entirely led by young people. It’s different to the other performances because the young people are introducing themselves and there are no adults on stage.” - Audience Member
“The sound quality produced was phenomenal.” - James, Music Leader
“Before joining ArtsTrain, I couldn’t play without sheet music, without being given a key, or I couldn’t improvise. And now I play by ear, and it encourages me to stop waiting for things to be taught to me and to try and figure it out myself.” - Young Person
“The chance to actually participate in songwriting has been transformative for their (young person) musical skills and engagement and their sense of pride in writing and performing something that was ‘theirs’ has been brilliant to see.” - Parent of a Young Person
“We worked together really well and I feel a sense of achievement from our festival performance, as this has been my passion forever.” – Young Person
“I loved the performance - please tell the young musicians that they are amazing.” – Audience Member
Want to see what we got up to at the London Jazz Festival showcase? Head to our Instagram!
Our Collective onstage at the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre for the London Jazz Festival… We’re sooo proud of them!