Tomorrow’s Warriors has been instrumental in developing several award-winning artists, helping them achieve their ambitions and forge successful professional careers. Our directors have also bagged a few gongs for themselves and the team over the past three decades! Here’s a list of the 60 (yes, 60!) awards garnered to date by Tomorrow’s Warriors and its directors. We don’t include awards earned by our alumni after leaving our programme as, not only do the awards belong to them, but also there are just too many awards to mention! Congratulations all round!

YearAwarding BodyReason For AwardLeader / Artist
2023Parliamentary Jazz AwardsServices to JazzJanine Irons OBE
2023The King’s Birthday HonoursOBE For Services to the Music IndustryJanine Irons OBE
2022Gilles Peterson’s WorldWide AwardsCommunityTomorrow’s Warriors
2021University of London Institute in ParisHonorary Doctorate
– Doctor of Music honoris causa
Dr Gary Crosby OBE
2021Jazz FM AwardsImpact AwardTomorrow’s Warriors
2021Music Producers GuildInspiration AwardJanine Irons MBE & Gary Crosby OBE
2020Music WeekWomen In Music Roll of Honour
for music industry game-changers
Janine Irons MBE
2019SheSaid.SoAlternative Power 100 Music ListJanine Irons MBE
2019HM Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen’s Medal for Music 2018 for major influence on the musical life of the nationGary Crosby OBE
2018Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & DanceHonorary Fellowship for Outstanding Contribution to Music EducationGary Crosby OBE
2018Parliamentary Jazz AwardsSpecial Award – Outstanding Contribution to JazzGary Crosby OBE
2017Parliamentary Jazz AwardsJazz EducationTomorrow’s Warriors
2017Parliamentary Jazz AwardsJazz NewcomerNérija
2017British Assoc. of Songwriters, Composers & AuthorsGold Badge AwardGary Crosby OBE
2016Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearDaniel Casimir
2014Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearMoses Boyd
2014National Festival of Music For YouthBest Jazz EnsembleTomorrow’s Warriors Female Collective – Troy
2013National Festival of Music For YouthNational Partnerships Award – Jazz CategoryTomorrow’s Warriors Female Collective – Nérija
2013National Festival of Music For YouthBest Jazz EnsembleTomorrow’s Warriors – Ezra Collective
2013Mayor of London Gigs Big BuskYouth Category – WinnerSam Barnett
2012Essentially Ellington Big Band CompetitionBest Rhythm SectionTomorrow’s Warriors Youth Orchestra
2012Essentially Ellington Big Band CompetitionOutstanding BassistWill Burcher
2012Essentially Ellington Big Band CompetitionOutstanding SoloistsMark Kavuma (trumpet) / Ruben Fox (tenor sax)
2012Parliamentary Jazz AwardsJazz EducationGary Crosby OBE
2012Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearLaura Jurd
2012Yamaha Jazz ExperienceBest Ensemble (11-19yrs)Tomorrow’s Warriors – Ezra Collective
2012Mayor of London Gigs Big BuskBand Category – Runner UpTomorrow’s Warriors – Ezra Collective
2010Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearNathaniel Facey
2010Yamaha Jazz ExperienceBest Ensemble (11-19yrs)Tomorrow’s Warriors Biggish Band
2009Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearShaney Forbes
2009The Queen’s Birthday HonoursOBE for Services to MusicGary Crosby
2008Worshipful Company of MusiciansYoung Musician of the YearZem Audu
2007British Jazz AwardsBest New CDAbram Wilson
2007British Jazz AwardsBest SaxophonistSoweto Kinch
2007BBC RadioServices to JazzGary Crosby
2007MOBOBest Jazz ActSoweto Kinch
2006Urban Music AwardsBest Jazz ActSoweto Kinch
2006Parliamentary Jazz AwardsBest EnsembleJazz Jamaica
2006The Queen’s Birthday HonoursMBE for Services to the Music IndustryJanine Irons
2006BBC RadioRising StarAndrew McCormack
2005International Songwriting Competition, Nashville, TNBest Jazz CompositionAbram Wilson
2004Urban Music AwardsBest Jazz ActSoweto Kinch
2004BBC RadioBest BandSoweto Kinch
2004BBC RadioBest InstrumentalistSoweto Kinch
2004Peter Whittingham AwardsBest InnovationSoweto Kinch
2003MOBOBest Jazz ActSoweto Kinch
2003Mercury Music PrizeAn Album Of The YearSoweto Kinch
2002BBC RadioBest BandJazz Jamaica All Stars
2002Ocho Rios Jazz Festival DirectorateConsistent Contribution to Music in JamaicaGary Crosby
2002BBC RadioRising StarSoweto Kinch
2002Montreux Jazz Festival/White FoundationInternational Saxophone CompetitionSoweto Kinch
2000British Jazz AwardsRising StarDenys Baptiste
1999MOBOBest Jazz ActDenys Baptiste
1999Mercury Music PrizeAn Album Of The YearDenys Baptiste
1998Perrier Young Jazz AwardsBest EnsembleJ-Life
1998Perrier Young Jazz AwardsBest VocalistJulie Dexter
1998Perrier Young Jazz AwardsBest Debut CD (2nd)J-Life
1997Jazz à Vienne – Concours International d’OrchestresBest International EnsembleGary Crosby’s Nu Troop
1997Jazz à Vienne – Concours International d’OrchestresBest Soloist (3rd)Denys Baptiste
1997International Jazz Federation, Leverkusen, GermanyEuropean Young Jazz ArtistsJ-Life