Tomorrow’s Warriors asks for donations to reach its £100k target for #Iamwarrior Appeal

The pioneering jazz talent development organisation and charity Tomorrow’s Warriors is making a renewed call for donations for its appeal #IAMWARRIOR, with the deadline of 30 April (International Jazz Day) fast approaching, the appeal aims to ensure that ‘Support The Next Jazz Generation’ continues and raises its target of £100k for much needed funds to help sustain its free to access Young Artist Development Programme and Emerging Artist Programme.

The award-winning organisation has released a new video (see below) featuring celebrated musicians guitarist Shirley Tetteh, pianist Sultan Stevenson and drummer Romarna Campbell, three members of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Music Leader Faculty, that lead the talent development sessions at Southbank Centre and have themselves come through the programme. They invite all who care about the future of UK jazz and want to support the next generation of talent to donate at www.gofundme.com/IAMWARRIOR2023.

Commenting on the important role Tomorrow’s Warriors have played, guitarist Shirley Tetteh said: “I wouldn’t be here without Tomorrow’s Warriors. To have an organisation fighting for black musicians is huge. We wouldn’t be here in the same way had it not been for them. Tomorrow’s Warriors really needs the funding to keep the programme free and support others like me to continue playing music.”

Pianist Sultan Stevenson said: “They have done so much great work empowering young people who may not have access to the resources needed to become a professional musician. Please support Tomorrow’s Warriors and our appeal. Your support really does mean a lot.”

Rising star drummer Romarna Campbell also commented: “We can’t lose Warriors, it is one of the best organisations and they really do what they say they’re going to do. But for them to continue this work, they need your support.”

Since the #IAMWARRIOR appeal launched in November 2023, Tomorrow’s Warriors has raised £71k in donations from supporters, but the organisation urgently needs your support to help get it over the line and reach its target of £100k.

Saxophonist Maddy Coombs and the IAMAWARRIOR horns at Jazz Cafe - Photo by Pat Pascal

A great example of the work TW’s have done will be on show at the Tomorrow’s Warriors Tap Room Takeover as part of Brick Lane Jazz Festival, where the charity will be showcasing 10 bands, including its development ensembles and emerging artists, across all three days of the festival from 26th-28th April. Tomorrow’s Warriors artists BIG MASSIVE, Frontline and Romarna Campbell will also be performing at the Jazz Stroud Festival in May.

The start of 2024 has seen further cuts to local authorities and councils, with budgets to youth services and cultural departments often first in line to be cut. These increased pressures, coupled with the reduction in education budgets to support music lessons, makes the work Tomorrow’s Warriors does ever more vital.

Donations to Tomorrow’s Warriors allow the organisation to continue its work bridging critical gaps in education, cultural, and youth services and create a safe space where young people can receive outstanding quality jazz tuition, build their confidence, feel inspired, be part of a creative community…and have fun!

The first three months of this year have seen Tomorrow’s Warriors’ £free talent development programme waiting list grow, as more young people face economic challenges that prevent them from accessing music education and opportunity.

It is only with the support of sponsors and individual donors that the charity can continue its work with the current cohort of musicians and welcome more young people to the Warriors family, supporting the next jazz generation and sustaining the UK Jazz ecosystem for years to come.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/iamwarrior2023