By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

A Change Is Gonna Come – New Video

Watch the video here :

We are proud of this new video made under Covid 19 lockdown rules. The young people recorded their own audio and video parts at home and the track was then produced by Soothsayers . The final result is beyond our expectations and is a testament to the way our young musicians embraced the spirit of the song and the message in the lyrics. Sam Cooke originally wtote the song in 1962 and its message is still relevant today and resonates with the Black Lives Matter Movement that has been prominent worldwide,

By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

Update – online sessions – Coronavirus

Due to Coronavirus we have had to suspend our face to face sessions . We have moved all our work on line and re invented how Youthsayers works . We are running three bands for different age groups. Younger Youthsayers , Youthsayers and Youthsayers Advanced .  We were really worried that the ‘lockdown’ was going upset pour continuity and while working online is definitely lacking in some ways , ie the group playing aspect , we have worked out new ways of working that have been really good and will probably influence how we run Youthsayers in the future . We 100 percent intend to get back to live group work face to face ASAP but we think the current pandemic situation has been a valuable learning opportunity . Look out for recordings coming soon of some of the work were have been doing . If you want too join an online session,  for more details or how , please email us at youthsayers@gmail.com – new members are welcome to watch or take part in a session

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By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

Funding From UK Youth

We are pleased to be able to continue working with young musicians and really appreciate funding from UK Youth who have helped us set up our third group with our most senior members who are creating new music and developing their playing skills . Its inspiring and a privilege to work with such positive and talented young people.

By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

Future Talent Charity and Youthsayers Workshop and Concert

In November 2019 we ran a workshop with a combined group of young musicians from the excellent Future Talent Charity and Youthsayers . Future Talent assist talented young musicians from all over the UK by providing excellent learning and performing opportunities. The charity aims to help young people who show musical talent whose financial situation is a potential barrier to their development. It was great for young musicians from Youthsayers to work with Future Talent and share there musical experience with other young people. We performed a concert at St Georges Church , Hanover Sq to showcase the work. Thanks to Holly Harman for setting the project up and logistical support.

By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

Youthsayers play Homecoming with Endurance Steel Orchestra Dec 21st 2019

On 21st Dec Youthsayers will be performing the amazing Homecoming by Beyonce with an amazing new partner organisation , Endurance Steel Orchestra. We will showcasing what we have been learning with master pan player Marlon Hibbert, band leader from Endurance. The event is at Stanley Halls South Norwood https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/12-south-norwood-hill/stanley-halls/endurance-steel-orchestra-presents-homecoming/e-mxkopk we are grateful to Arts Council England and Ronnie Scotts Charitable Foundation for financial assistance to make this project happen.

By Robin on in Events, News, Past Event

Youthsayers at London Jazz Festival Next Generations

It was a pleasure to work with Serious for the Next Generation Takeover show at The Clore Ballroom Royal Festival Hall. We performed a new piece called Truthsayers for Youthsayers composed with the amazing Saxophonist and composer Jason Yarde. The piece included a range of elements from Structured improvisation , free improvisation , harmonic progressions , grooves , dynamics and group improvisation. The audience feed back was exceptional . We would like thank Ronnie Scotts Charitable Foundation and Arts Council England for the funding that allowed this project to take place.

©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
©Roger Thomas 2019 – mingus999@hotmail.com / EFG London Jazz Festival 2019 / Next Generation Takes Over – Youthsayers / London Southbank Centre – Clore Ballroom / 24th November 2019 /
By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

EFG London Jazz Festival Nov 24th 2019 with Jason Yarde

EFG London Jazz Festival with special guest Jason Yarde - Sunday 24th November 6pm Clore Ballroom

We are pleased to announce Youthsayers will be performing at EFG London Jazz Festival on 24th November 2019.

Royal Festival Hall Clore Ballroom onstage 6pm - 7 pm,

Our performance will feature a new collaboration between Youthsayers and jazz saxophonist and composer Jason Yarde.
We have been working with Jason this autumn and are excited and proud to present the music we have been creating. The piece embraces elements of structured free playing , groove and jazz harmony.

This performance follows on from our participation in Music For Youth Proms at The RoyalAlbert Hall and Spirit of London Award Nominations at City Hall that both took place in November 2019.
To end the year we will be working with Endurance Steel Pan Orchestra from a jazz performance of Beyonce’s Homecoming on Dec 21st at Stanley Halls , South Norwood.

We have been able to deliver this project due to funding from Ronnie Scotts Charitable Foundation and The Arts Council England .

By Robin on in Events, Gigs, News, Past Event

Performing at Music For Youth Proms at Royal Albert Hall Nov 2019

National Music For Youth Festival Proms at The Royal Albert Hall November 2019

We had a great time performing at Music For Youth Proms at The Royal Albert Hall , London on 12th November 2019. We were part of a line up selected from across the UK and were one of the only London based projects. Other bands came from Gateshead , Bridgend, Rastrick and Oxfordshire, It was a unforgettable experience performing to a huge audience in a world famous venue.