On 9 April, Tomorrow’s Warriors hosted our first jazz/grime workshop, A Grime Supreme, with 30 young musicians, vocalists and producers attending sessions with acclaimed producer Swindle, jazz drummer Moses Boyd, MC Consensus and led by TW alum saxophonist XVNGO (Deji Ijishakin).
The workshop was made possible by the amazing support of the Baytrilla Memorial Fund. Bailey Churchill (aka Baytrilla) was a talented DJ and music producer with a bright future, who tragically passed away in 2020 aged just 26. The Memorial Fund was established in 2021 by Bailey’s mother, Jo with support from Bailey’s family and friends who wished to honour his memory and help fulfil some of his dreams. It was their incredible efforts to crowdfund that enabled us to stage the workshop at the Southbank Centre.
The day began with Moses Boyd giving an inspiring talk about his route into music, before XVNGO began the creative process, breaking down one of his jazz drill tracks and beginning a participatory jam session.
The participants collaborated in groups, building beats, brass and guitar parts and vocals, before laying down a brand-new composition, whilst engineering and producing the track as it evolved.
In the afternoon, vocalist CHERISE joined the Music Leaders for a panel discussion and question and answer session, giving the participants a chance to tap into their extensive combined knowledge and experience.
The day concluded in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall for a live jazz and grime jam, showcasing some incredible musical talent and featuring a showstopping live performance of the track they had collectively written on the day.
The atmosphere at the live performance was incredible, pulling a fantastic crowd around the pop-up stage prompting cheers, applause and a whole lot of smiles. This was an inspirational day and a touching tribute to a young music producer and his family, many of whom were there to see Jo step onto the stage for an emotional ‘thank you’ from TW co-founder Janine Irons, a sentiment that was echoed by all the participants and Music Leaders.
