Tomorrow’s Warriors announces the launch of Warriors Rise, a ground-breaking new national touring initiative supporting the next generation of jazz innovators through performance, mentoring, and grassroots collaboration.
With support from the the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation and the PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network in partnership with PPL, Warriors Rise will empower three exceptional young musicians from the Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artist Programme, providing them with a bespoke UK tour across clubs, arts centres, and festivals.
Each selected artist is a gifted performer, emerging composer and bandleader creating original, genre-defying work. This initiative offers them not only vital touring experience, but also one-to-one mentoring in PR, marketing, audience development, and sustainable career-building — ensuring they are equipped with both the tools and the confidence to thrive.
“Warriors Rise isn’t just a tour, it’s a launchpad — promoting original voices and helping them find their place in the industry. For emerging artists, live performance is essential — it’s where craft becomes connection, where confidence grows, and where audiences are built one show at a time. We’re investing in long-term development, not just showcasing talent.” Janine Irons OBE CO-Founder and CEO of Tomorrow’s Warriors
Crucially, Warriors Rise also supports grassroots music venues, strengthening the UK’s live music infrastructure by subsidising travel, accommodation, and tour management. This enables small and mid-scale venues to host bold new artists and will help forge new connections with diverse audiences.
And, whilst building these relationships with new venues, Warriors Rise is about creating real opportunities for the next generation of our Emerging Artists — giving them the chance to grow, connect, and be heard. By bringing bold new music to grassroots stages across the country, we’re not just supporting individual talent, we’re helping communities discover it, celebrate it, and keep live music thriving.
The tours will kick off later this month, with all three artists debuting new music and taking their sound to new stages.
INTRODUCING THE ARTISTS FOR WARRIORS RISE 2025
All three of the artists on this first instalment of Warriors Rise are alumni of Tomorrow’s Warriors Learning and Development Programme and were members of our flagship development ensembles before becoming talented bandleaders in their own right.
MADDY COOMBS
A Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artists, and already tipped as a rising talent on the British jazz scene by Jazz Wise in the summer of last year, saxophonist Maddy Coombs has been mentored by Binker Golding, Denys Baptiste and Gary Crosby.
Maddy has played alongside Judi Jackson, Soweto Kinch, Mark Kavuma, and The Silhouettes Project. Leading her own line-up, she has performed at a host of venues and festivals including Brighton Jazz Festival, We Out Here Festival, Pizza Express Soho, Spice of Life, and with Jazz:Refreshed, including their Sounds of 2025 event at London’s iconic Jazz Café.
Maddy is also building a reputation as a brilliant composer and arranger with her own music drawing inspiration from many artists including Stan Getz and John Coltrane, as well as from her own experiences as a young artist who is already firmly rooted in the London jazz scene.
“Discerning aficionados of the UK scene will have noticed a new name in the listings of hipper venues and festival stages…. proof that peers and tastemakers on the scene are taking notice.” JazzWise Magazine
ALLEXA NAVA
Hailing from Peru saxophonist, flautist, and composer Allexa Nava has been making waves on the UK jazz scene for the last few years, both as an artist in her own right (performing at Ronnie Scott’s and Jazz In The Round) as well as a member of the all-female Latin ensemble and festival favourites Colectiva.
But it is her reputation as a bandleader and composer that is set to soar following the release of her highly anticipated debut EP No Language on the influential Jazz Re:freshed label.
There is no doubt that the release of No Language marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this emerging talent, whose fresh perspective and technical prowess is ready to breathe new life into the contemporary jazz scene. And it is no surprise that Nava’s recordings have already received radio play both here in the UK and internationally, including Jazz FM and BBC Introducing London, Antena 3 in Portugal, WYEP Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and the title track was disque du jour on TSF Jazz in France.
A participant on the Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artists Programme, there is no denying that Allexa has already gone on an incredible journey of exploration and growth as a musician. And jazz audiences can feel justifiably excited to see where this journey leads next!
“The Peruvian-born saxophonist and flautist has made a mark for herself on the contemporary UK jazz scene – and listening to her debut single, a track from her imminent EP, No Language, one can well understand why.” Sounds and Colours
“With this first EP, Allexa Nava clearly represents what distinguishes Jazz in the UK and in London, namely audacity and assurance”. La Face B
“The new nugget of London jazz is from Peru! Young saxophonist Allexa Nava unveils his new EP, modern, beautifully produced, with a powerful alto sound and an often original approach. A dream!” TSF Jazz, France
DONOVAN HAFFNER
Alto saxophonist, Donovan Haffner could almost be described as one of the best kept secrets on the London jazz scene for the last 3 or 4 years, but all that is set to change with the release of his debut album, Alleviate.
Donovan has toured Italy with multi-award-winning drummer Moses Boyd and played with Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, and Balimaya. He has also performed with the Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson and was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of, American jazz legend, Charles Tolliver’s Big Band, headlining at the Barbican as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
If you have already been lucky enough to catch Donovan play live in a venue (including London’s Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, and Pizza Express Live) or at a festival (We Out Here, Love Supreme), then you will have been struck not just by the drive and sophistication of his playing, but also how he interprets his own compositions. To see him leading his quartet is to go on a journey with him through the music he loves, straight ahead and contemporary jazz – drawing on the inspiration of the musicians that have influenced him, including Kenny Garrett, Freddie Hubbard, Immanuel Wilkins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, and Walter Smith III – but enhanced with his own distinctive compositional style.
“There’s so much sincerity and gravity in what he plays, and his unforced musicality really draws you in.” Soweto Kinch, Around Midnight, BBC Radio 3
“Saxophonist Donovan Haffner’s debut LP, Alleviate, is an absolutely awesome debut and a really amazing release. I’ve watched his development for the last two or three years and he has blossomed into a really special musician.” Tony Minvielle, wirter & broadcaster JazzFM
