Next Wave Big Band

After the huge success of the Next Wave Big Band’s inaugural year, we’re back and ready to make some more noise! The Trinity Laban Next Wave Big Band is an exciting and FREE jazz project for young musicians aged 11-18 years old that will tackle some of the most popular big band repertoire of the twentieth century. You’ll be performing some great pieces by some of the icons of the big band movement – we’re talking Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams and Fletcher Henderson.

Rehearsing weekly at Trinity Laban’s iconic music building in Greenwich, you will learn the music together both ‘by ear’, and through reading charts. Led by Alex Polack and Otto Kampa, there is room in the ensemble for new jazz enthusiasts and seasoned young players looking for a challenge.

You will be guided by some of London’s most exciting and upcoming musicians from Trinity Laban’s jazz programme. There will be opportunities across the year to connect up with other jazz activity at Trinity Laban, and be part of a large-scale performance event alongside school big bands Trinity Laban will be mentoring. Come and meet other like-minded young people, have a great time exploring and making this fantastic music, and be part of the next wave of jazz musicians of the future.

Who is the Next Wave Big Band for?

To take part you need to be technically proficient in your instrument, producing a good sound and feel across the instrument, and willing to commit to weekly rehearsals. Most of all, you should have a passion for improvising, and for playing and developing together with like-minded musicians of your generation, and a curiosity to explore the big band heritage!

Project Details

All sessions, 17:30 – 19:00.

Open Session
Monday 22 September

Autumn Term
Monday 6 October – Monday 20 October
Monday 3 November – Monday 8 December

Spring Term
Monday 12 January – Monday 9 February
Monday 23 Feb – Monday 23 March

Summer Term
Monday 13 April – Monday 27 April
Monday 1 June – Monday 6 July

All Next Wave Big Band participants will be invited to participate in the Jazz Hang Masterclass series, which takes place termly at Trinity Laban.  More information and the dates for this are to be announced.