Over two weeks this term, NYJO’s First Time Jazz tour has taken live jazz into 13 schools across London, introducing around 1,900 young people to the energy and excitement of jazz. For 76% of these students, this was their first time hearing live jazz music, and for 35%, it was their first live music experience of any kind. This tour was more than just performances—it was a celebration of music, diversity, and opportunity, showing young people that jazz is for everyone, no matter their background.
Our Learning Programmes Manager, Beth, shared her reflections:
‘Being able to give 8 of our NYJO musicians the opportunity to work with our brilliant bandleaders, Shantéh and Flo, and to see them share their passion for jazz and for their instruments with these audiences has been truly special.’
Creating an Inclusive and Inspiring Space
Led by the incredible Shantéh and Flo, our NYJO Emerging Professional musicians delivered engaging and interactive sessions, breaking down barriers between performers and audiences. Young people weren’t just spectators—they were part of the music. They were encouraged to sing, rap, play, and improvise, stepping into the world of jazz with curiosity and excitement.
One particularly special moment came when a young Year 7 student stepped forward to sing alongside Flo. Initially shy, she found her confidence as the performance went on, showing the transformative power of music.
Our Programmes Coordinator, Kenyah, reflecting on the tour, said:
‘The Band Leaders create such a lovely space for these bonds to form, and they translate this into how they interact with the young people—encouraging them to take a chance and get up on stage.’
For NYJO, it’s about more than music—it’s about representation. By bringing in a diverse group of musicians, students see performers who look like them, sound like them, and come from backgrounds they can relate to. Amelia shared how powerful it was to see young girls in the audience responding to the music with joy:
‘They were screaming at every chance they got. It was great. It was good fun. It was nice to see girls being really passionate and loud.’
Jazz as a Conversation
Jazz is more than a genre—it’s a language of expression, spontaneity, and community. Students described it as “unpredictable,” “playful,” “expressive,” and “alive.” This tour was a chance for them to experience the freedom of improvisation, proving that music is for everyone, no matter their starting point. As Amelia put it:
‘Everyone is in different places, and everyone’s had different experiences. I think it’s really good for us to talk to the young people about that—because no matter where you come from, you can still do this.’
Moments of Inspiration
For some students, First Time Jazz wasn’t just their first live jazz gig, it was the moment they decided they wanted to play an instrument. Georgia shared:
‘There have been a couple of young people who came up and said they want to start playing drums. That’s the highlight for me.’
By removing barriers to music education, NYJO is helping young people see that learning an instrument is within their reach. Some schools we visited offer free music lessons, meaning that the spark of inspiration from First Time Jazz could turn into real opportunities for these students.
The Power of Representation and Connection
NYJO musicians didn’t just play—they shared their stories, struggles, and journeys into music. One student commented:
‘I liked how they brought people from the crowd up to sing or rap.’
Another student commented,
‘I liked how they talked about their backstory and how they wanted to play their instrument.’
For the musicians themselves, the experience was just as meaningful. Lya, who doesn’t come from a jazz background, shared how rewarding it was to introduce young people to something new:
‘It was good to show them something different about music—that it’s not just jazz. I’m not a jazz player, but it was great.’
Even for seasoned NYJO musicians, the tour provided a chance to bond and grow together. Dhiraj reflected on how they started improvising on one of his own pieces on the spot, which gave him to opportunity to plug his new release and show the young people that it is possible for people who look like them to create and release music.
‘I quickly showed Tay the bassline, told Georgia the feel of it, and we improvised on the spot. It was nice to just play it and share with the young people that I’ve released some music.’
Looking Ahead
From ‘soulful’ and ‘fun’ to ‘vibrant’ and ‘energetic’, the words young people used to describe First Time Jazz reflect the excitement we hope to continue spreading. We believe that everyone should have access to live music, and that jazz, full of improvisation, creativity, and collaboration, is a perfect way to introduce young people to the magic of performance.
Thank you to our incredible bandleaders, musicians, teachers, and most importantly, the young people who made this tour so special. Here’s to reaching even more first-time jazz audiences in the future!