Education United Kingdom Project #20896

Fundraising for our Jazz Programme

by World Heart Beat Music Academy

Project Report | Nov 23, 2016
Heartbeat: Spirit of Brazil

By Sahana Gero | Artistic Director

World Heart Beat Music Academy gives children and young people the opportunity to participate in music, and explore how music from different cultures can be brought together. Our programmes map the cultural diversity of the area, leading to mutual understanding and respect for different traditions and cultural practices.

This year, the 51st State Band have been working alongside Brazilian musicians to learn new styles such as choro, samba, bossa nova and maracatu as part of our ‘Spirit of Brazil’ project to celebrate of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. The final event as part of this project was the 51st State Band Concert at Putney Arts Theatre on Friday 18th November, where over 90 young people, many of whom are supported by your donations, performed two shows to sold-out audiences. These concerts featured an original composition ‘Heartbeat: Spirit of Brazil’ composed especially for the band by acclaimed pianist and composer, Julian Joseph. Julian’s beautiful composition featured layers of harmony which challenged every member of the band and featured every section.

“Thank you Julian for writing such an amazing and challenging piece of music!” - Emilly

“Thank you for writing such a groovy tune that encompasses the band so well.” - Julia

“Heartbeat is such a beautiful composition, thank you for giving us the honour of performing it.” - Ezekiel

Many of the young musicians of the 51st State Band are supported by your donations. With your funding, we are able to provide them with a free instrument, and the opportunity to learn music in the supportive band environment, which values every member as a vital part of a complete whole. Young people who would never have had a chance to learn music without the band, are able to learn quickly and access performance opportunities to increase their confidence, as well as increasing their social confidence through working as a team.

“It is absolutely amazing and wonderful to see everyone progressing, developing and flourishing into amazing young artists. It was a privilege to witness the premiere of Julian Joseph’s magical composition which was performed with such style and panache.” - Sue

“We were truly honoured to see the concert last night. We came out bursting with positive energy. To see people of all generations working together is heart warming. How incredible for young ones to have the opportunity to be part of it at such a formative age.” - Zdravka

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Aug 25, 2016
Brazilian Jazz Concert at the 606 Club

By Sahana Gero | Artistic Director

Last month, our students played a sell-out jazz concert with a Brazilian theme in one of the UK’s most established jazz clubs, sharing the stage with the best jazz Trio in the country. This concert marked the anniversary of our fundraising campaign to support the Jazz programme at World Heart Beat Music Academy. This programme is supporting many young musicians towards fulfilling careers in the music industry through a structured, dynamic programme taught by the best Jazz musicians in the country and featuring performance opportunities in some of the best venues in London and Europe.

Our biggest congratulations go to all of the young musicians who worked so incredibly hard and played to such a high standard. Thanks also to the great Jazz musicians that work with our young musicians, Trevor, Tony, Byron, Daisy and Tammy and for continually inspiring our students and sharing your knowledge and experience with them. Our immense gratitude goes to Julian, Mark and Mark for giving our students the opportunity to perform alongside the best in the business. We are also extremely grateful to Pepe and Almir for teaching and bringing the Brazilian vibes with them, and inspiring our students to play to new heights.

Without your continued support at events like this, and throughout the year, we would not be able to offer these programmes. Learning to play jazz music enables disadvantaged and isolated young people to find their voice, and the self-confidence to express themselves through the music, giving them more than just a new skill but also a whole new outlook on life.

Funds raised from this concert will continue to build on the work we established last year, providing ongoing training for those young musicians who are already learning with us. Your donations will also enable us to further expand this project, offering opportunities to new aspiring musicians, who will be given their first instrument and full bursaries to study jazz, as well as access to a wealth of opportunities such as Radio Production Masterclasses, Songwriting workshops, studio recording sessions and more.

“Thank you so much for such an amazing concert last night. It was absolutely mesmerising and very enjoyable.” - Sue

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May 27, 2016
Fundraising concert at 606 Club

By Sahana Gero | Artistic Director

We are delighted to announce a very special live music event to raise funds for our Jazz programme. The concert will be held on Monday 4 July at 8.00pm at the renowned 606 Club in Chelsea. This world-class venue is being provided at the generous invitation of its owner, Steve Rubie, who will also be donating all music admission charges to the campaign.

A year ago, Ezekiel had been making excellent progress on the electric bass and expressed a desire to learn the Upright Bass. With your generous donations from last year’s fundraising event we purchased an Upright Bass and were able to fund lessons for all our bass players. Ezekiel now has 43 Jazz standards in his repertoire and has performed in over 15 Jazz concerts. Learning the electric bass has also lead to the opportunity for one of our new young players (aged 14) to play at concerts in the Royal Albert Hall and Battersea Arts Centre.Your funding is making an unbelievable difference to transforming the rhythm sections at the Academy.

Your contributions towards last year’s concert also provided bursaries for young people who could not afford to pay for lessons. They have benefitted from a year of lessons with some of the best Jazz musicians internationally. In fact, their musical talent has improved so much that three of these young people, Nathan (12), Demont (11) and Jaidon (12) were invited to audition for the prestigious AYM awards, judged by Gary Crosby OBE.

“Thanks for the hospitality and positive vibe yesterday. I had so much fun with the young musicians, I am impressed!” - Gary Crosby

Twenty young singers and instrumentalists have also had the chance to learn how to write music and lyrics with acclaimed jazz songwriter, Tammy Weis. We are now recording some of the songs being produced in the songwriting masterclasses and they will soon be featured on our weekly radio show

We would be very grateful for your support again for this year. Perhaps you would like to take a table at our next fundraising event on 4th July 2016 at the 606 club and enjoy some superb jazz from our young jazz musicians with a Brazilian celebratory flavour, as the Olympics are being held in Rio de Janeiro this year. Please donate a minimum of £20 per person to this project on GlobalGiving to provide more bursaries and instruments for aspiring musicians who do not have the means to pay for lessons.

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