Jazz on Tour
Trinity Laban’s large jazz ensembles are on a mission to directly inspire the next generation of young musicians, performing live in schools and music centres across London.
Based in Greenwich, Trinity Laban’s world-class jazz programme has launched the careers of many of the top names on the current UK music scene including Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Deschanel Gordon, and Laura Jurd.
Since Autumn 2021, our ensembles have been visiting schools on Thursday mornings performing concerts. Presented by Trinity Laban Jazz tutors and students, almost 6,000 school students have experienced a range of jazz from the 1940s to the present day, supported by free resource packs, and with some of them involved in linked workshops and playing side-by-side with Trinity Laban musicians.
Jazz on Tour performances are primarily targeted to KS3 year groups, but will also be appropriate for KS4 pupils and older KS2 school years.
Take a deep dive into jazz
Jazz on tour 2024-25
We offer a combined package of a concert – with the Trinity Laban Thelonious Monk Band – and a prior practical workshop.
Feedback from teachers and students
I enjoyed hearing a live big band in real life, and to hear all this music recreated.
Key Stage 3 student participant
Superb! Extremely high quality, very professional, engaging and informative… We have had a big uptake in brass lessons since the concert and more interest in GCSE Music
Secondary school music teacher
The Trinity Laban Thelonious Monk Band
This 11-piece group specialises in playing the music of the iconic jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk (1917-1982). Although mentored by Monk experts TL tutor and saxophonist Tony Kofi and Head of Jazz Hans Koller, this is essentially a student-led ensemble. Trinity Laban’s senior jazz students know Monk’s music from their personal practice and listening, and this is their new platform to explore Monk’s music in depth and in the collective setting. The result is accessible music with a joyful, soulful and big sound – even featuring tuba, French horn and a vocalist in the line-up – with spontaneity and excitement added by on the spot improvisations in the unique harmonic-rhythmic milieu of Monk. As Monk said himself: When you are swinging, swing some more!
Frequently asked questions
How long will the performance be?
A typical concert presentation will last between 45 – 60 minutes.
Who are the performances aimed at?
Our priority is to reach out to KS3 students, and help you inspire them to continue their journey in music, but the concert would also be appropriate for KS4 and older KS2 school years.
What’s involved in a performance?
First and foremost, these are professional-standard gigs that you would experience in a club or music venue, but taking place inside your school or centre! The music will be presented and explained in an age-appropriate way, and there will be the opportunity to ask questions. Your students do not need to play an instrument or have a prior interest in jazz in order to benefit from the experience: we are keen to reach as large an audience as is practical and appropriate for your school.
What else is being offered as part of the Jazz on Tour experience?
As well as the in-school concert, schools will also receive:
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An interactive resource pack, at least a month in advance, to enable students to engage with and better understand the concert repertoire;
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A prior practical workshop for up to 20 of your more advanced music students, led by world-renowned saxophonist Tony Kofi and supported by Trinity Laban jazz students, which will enable them to perform side-by-side in part of the subsequent concert.
Total cost to schools: £100.
When are they taking place?
In-school performances will be available to book for Thursday mornings across the academic year, from the 14 November onwards until Easter. The concert will need to be scheduled to finish by 11:30 at the very latest. The ideal arrival time for set-up is between 09:00 and 09:30.
What does a school need in order to host the concert?
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A hall or theatre large enough to accommodate a band of up to 13 musicians and the scale of audience you would like to involve.
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Exclusive access to that space for set-up and soundcheck for at least 60 minutes in advance of the concert start time.
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A decent working and tuned piano (or weighted keyboard), drum kit and – if possible – 10 music stands.
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If possible, a bass amp, guitar amp, and a presenter mic and amp.
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For the prior workshop, this can take place in a music classroom.
