Tomorrow’s Warriors has named three of its artist alumni among 12 inaugural patrons.
The music charity for jazz is also launching a new partnership with Foyles.
As the organisation marks a landmark anniversary celebrating 35 years supporting young musicians, its alumni artists Femi Koleoso, Eska and Moses Boyd are among the new patrons.
Announced as patrons are: Baroness Amos LG CH PC, Labour peer, diplomat and former UN Under-Secretary-General; Margaret Busby CBE, publisher, editor, writer, broadcaster and former Tomorrow’s Warriors trustee, who steps down after a near 10-year term to become patron; novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby; musician and producer Guy Chambers; and journalist, author and broadcaster Robert Elms.
They are joined by charity NED, global events specialist and philanthropist Lizzie Ridding and her husband the chair of the Financial Times, John Ridding, alongside business figures Michael Watt ONZM (Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club) and Richard Wyatt (Loudwater Partners/Rothschild & Co).
“This 35th anniversary year underscores the growing urgency of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ work at a time when youth provision is contracting, the cost of access to music has risen sharply and pathways for young artists are increasingly fragile,” said a statement.
“The charity aims to continue its drive for systemic change within the jazz sector, expanding access and visibility for young Black, female and Global Majority musicians, and supporting sustainable professional careers in music and the wider creative industries.”
The anniversary launch event where the patrons were announced, held in Foyles bookshop on London’s Charing Cross Road, also marked the new partnership between Tomorrow’s Warriors and long-standing collaborators, Foyles. The partnership builds on their ongoing Tomorrow’s Warriors +1 monthly concert series.
As well as its extensive schools and community outreach programmes, Tomorrow’s Warriors provides industry mentoring and support for emerging artists with over 200 performances each year.
In addition, 120 school and college age players come together weekly in the Tomorrow’s Warriors Young Artist Development Programme, with over 75% of the participants from a Global Majority background.
Tomorrow’s Warriors helped me realise my vision to be fully myself as an artist
Eska
Femi Koleoso said: "Tomorrow’s Warriors was a community and space that helped me grow in more than just music. It was a place where you turn up and get to be yourself. Becoming a patron is all about being able to give the next generation more space and opportunities to express themselves creatively."
Baroness Amos LG CH PC said: "I am honoured to be one of the founding patrons of Tomorrow’s Warriors, an organisation committed to developing young people and nurturing their talent. Tomorrow’s Warriors has played a pivotal role in helping to shape the cultural life of Britain.”
Margaret Busby CBE said: “It has been a privilege to serve as a trustee of Tomorrow’s Warriors for nearly a decade and to witness first-hand the extraordinary impact of its work. Tomorrow’s Warriors strives for equity, expands possibility and helps ensure that the UK’s cultural landscape reflects the brilliance and diversity of its talent. As I step into the role of patron, I do so with deep admiration for Gary and Janine’s stalwart work and dedication across a 35-year journey, and with unwavering belief in the continuing power to transform lives and shape the future of British jazz.”
Nick Hornby said: “Tomorrow’s Warriors is one of those rare organisations that doesn’t just talk about change – it makes it happen. The music, the people and the vision are extraordinary, and I’m proud to support its next chapter.”
Robert Elms said: “Tomorrow’s Warriors are our collective hope for the future. They represent the very best musicianship, culture, community, but most importantly humanity. I consider it a great honour to call myself a patron.”
Eska said: “Tomorrow’s Warriors helped me realise my vision to be fully myself as an artist. It nurtures not just musicianship, but confidence, voice and identity. I’m honoured to stand alongside this organisation as it continues to uplift new generations.”
Moses Boyd said: "It's an honour to become a patron for Tomorrow’s Warriors. I owe so much to the many people who poured time, energy and resources into my creativity. It's inspiring seeing how Tomorrow's Warriors have continued to do this selflessly for decades. I'm thrilled to be able to contribute in some small part to this wonderful organisation."
Guy Chambers said: “Tomorrow’s Warriors has been directing, inspiring, teaching aspiring young people, free of charge for 35 years and it is no understatement to say that its artists have completely re-energised British jazz with originality. It’s a testimony to TW to see how many alumni stay connected to the charity, to come back themselves and teach the next generation. It gives me great pleasure to be patron of this great organisation and I pledge to do all I can to help it survive in this incredibly difficult environment.”
Collectively, we send a powerful message to the young people we serve: your future matters, and we’re committing to it together
Janine Irons OBE & Dr Gary Crosby OBE
John and Lizzie Ridding said: “As jazz lovers and long-standing fans of Tomorrow’s Warriors and their brilliant team, we are delighted to support their mission and their music.”
Richard Wyatt said: “It’s an honour to be a patron of Tomorrow’s Warriors. It is simply, in my opinion, the most important jazz institution in our country. The work it has done is invaluable to the music and inspirational to those who have benefited from it.”
Michael Watt ONZM said “I am honoured to become an Inaugural patron. Tomorrow's Warriors epitomises my enduring belief in the power of live performance to inspire, connect and enrich diverse communities.”
Martin Koerner, Foyles general manager, said: "We are enormously proud to be working more closely with the remarkable Tomorrow's Warriors. They are an exemplar of community-led education and support, and the successes they have had in the field of jazz are simply extraordinary. We always look forward to their gigs here with giddy excitement, as do our customers, and we now look forward to seeing what further fruits can come of this wonderful relationship."
Tomorrow’s Warriors founders Janine Irons OBE (CEO) & Dr Gary Crosby OBE (artistic director) said: “Equity of opportunity takes real work, and it can’t be done alone. We thank our incredible new patrons and partner Foyles, as they join us in our 35th anniversary year. They share our belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Collectively, we send a powerful message to the young people we serve: your future matters, and we’re committing to it together.”
