Levitation Orchestra x NYJO at Acoustickle, Nottingham

January 30, 2026
5:00 pm

Following their high-energy performance at the 2025 EFG London Jazz Festival, NYJO brings this bold workshop and performance collaboration to Acoustickle, Nottingham.

NYJO teamed up with Axel Kaner-Lidstrom, founder and MD of Levitation Orchestra, to create an electrifying set of original music inspired by the collective’s egalitarian approach to music-making and their dynamic, genre-defying live shows. The result is a powerful meeting of ideas, driven by collaboration, spontaneity, and fearless creativity.

Expect striking original compositions and boundary-pushing improvisation from some of London’s most exciting emerging jazz talent, delivered with the intensity and openness of a true musical collective.

5–6.45pm Workshop with resident NYJO MD and founder of Steam Down Ahnansé: Sign Up Here! 

7pm Support from Nuri, blending elements of spiritual jazz, folk and beyond

7.30pm Levitation Orchestra

8.30pm Open participatory jam, inviting musicians and audiences to take part

Event details

Event date:
January 30, 2026

Event time:
5:00 pm

Free Workshop and attendees go free to gig

£8 General Admission

Ages 17+

Acoustickle, 3 Fisher Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1GD

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Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.” 

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

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Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ” 

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

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Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

"Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process."

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

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Jazzwise Magazine

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"The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!"

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

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Anna (Learning national quote)

"[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

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Briony (Learning U18s quote)

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Briony, NYJO Under 18s

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Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

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Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

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Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

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Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s

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