Experience the future of UK jazz at NYJO’s new monthly residency at Peckham Levels.
Each month, a different ensemble of NYJO Emerging Professionals will work with Ahnansé (Steam Down) and a special guest artist from the SE London jazz scene to create a one-off 45-minute set of original music, followed by an open jam session.
Expect bold, original music, boundary-pushing improvisation from the top emerging jazz talent in London.
With collaboration, community, and creative expression at its heart, this residency will create a space where jazz lovers of all backgrounds are welcome.
Alongside NYJO musicians, second in the series will be pioneering tuba player, Theon Cross.
About Theon:
Theon Cross is an award-winning tuba player and composer. He is a key component of London’s thriving jazz scene and his unique sound has been described as ‘innovative’ and hailed for ‘reinventing the tuba’. His debut EP Aspirations brought him international attention and garnered him a Jazz FM nomination for best Jazz Newcomer in 2016. In 2019 he released his debut album Fyah which was met with critical acclaim worldwide charting at no. 1 on the UK official Jazz & Blues charts, no.23 on the US Jazz Billboard and garnered high praise from major publications such as Rolling Stone Magazine, Pitchfork, The New York Times, The Guardian and NPR leading him to tour extensively throughout Europe, North America and South America.
Born and raised in London, Cross started his musical journey at the age of 8 where he began instrumental lessons in primary school on the tenor horn. In his mid-teens he switched to the tuba and attended several music workshops in London including the Kinetika Bloco, a Brazillian-Styled Carnival group, and the Tomorrow’s Warriors, lead by Gary Crosby OBE. Within these workshops Cross was able to build up his masterful stamina and technique whilst also learning how to improvise and be trained in various styles of music. He went on to study Jazz and classical music at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama and post graduating has worked with an array of established artists including Jon Batiste, Emile Sande, Kano, Makaya McCraven, Courtney Pine and is a significant core member of the mercury nominated group Sons of Kemet.