Daniel Casimir and Joe Armon-Jones help fuel next-gen jazz for I AM WARRIOR at Jazz Cafe

Tomorrow’s Warriors is a youth talent development organisation dedicated to finding, nurturing, and championing the next generation of jazz talent in the UK. Founded over 30 years ago by double bassist Gary Crosby OBE and Janine Irons OBE, Tomorrow’s Warriors are, in no small measure, a large reason for the current richness of the UK jazz scene. Their impressive list of alumni includes the Mercury Music Prize winners Ezra Collective as well as fellow Mercury nominees Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia. 

I AM WARRIOR is Tomorrow Warriors’ annual fundraiser gig at The Jazz Cafe in London. The gig showcased a core group of young musicians, the Soon Come Ensemble, alongside well-established jazz musicians affiliated with the organisation. The gig opened with double bassist Daniel Casimir and his original composition ‘Just in Time’, a piece of high-octane jazz fusion. The second piece featured Ezra Collective electric pianist Joe Armon-Jones, who delivered one of his characteristically creatively energetic solo explorations. Tenor saxophonist Maddy Coombs displayed her wonderful sense of melody in her composition ‘Song For Tomorrow’ and drummer Rod Youngs led the ensemble through a reflective post-bop ballad ‘The Pursuit of Peace’.

Altoist Donovan Haffner followed up with an up-tempo bebop blowing session on the suitably named ‘The Way of the Warrior’. The gig wrapped up with an open jam session featuring standards such as Wayne Shorter’s ‘Footprints’ and Thelonious Monk’s ‘Evidence’. Although the presence of these more senior bandleaders and mentors gave the gig structure, it was the young musicians who brought it alive with through their improvisational skills. Solos by trumpeter Finn Hori-Öhrström, flautist Keira Chakraborty, and trombonist Christ-Stéphane Boizi were particularly virtuosic and mature.

Jazz is a musical language that can only be acquired through countless hours of interaction with more experienced artists. Throughout this gig, it was abundantly clear why Tomorrow’s Warriors have seen so much success in recent years. The quality of leadership, emphasis on individual expression, and drive for musical excellence on display was a joy to watch. The calibre of these young players left the audience in no doubt that past successes will continue to be matched again in the coming years.

Although funded in part by various trusts and foundations, Tomorrow’s Warriors rely heavily on individual donations.

For anyone interested in supporting their vital work with the next generation of jazz musicians, there is a donations page under the ‘Support Us’ tab on their website: tomorrowswarriors.org