Norwich Jazz Festival: National Youth Jazz Orchestra at Epic Studios

For NYJO’s ‘The Fire Next Time! A Tribute To James Baldwin’, guest MD Peter Edwards; curator Lucy-Anne Daniels leading vocals with Akin Soul and two gospel singers and the next generation of NYJO jazz musicians come together to commemorate the life and legacy of one of the twentieth century's most uniquely significant English-language writers, James Baldwin. 

The programme consists of new compositions that Peter and Lucy-Anne have created with NYJO Emerging Professional musicians, inspired by Baldwin’s life. The performance draws from Baldwin‘s work, to explore the emotional and intellectual motifs that run through it, and how music - and jazz in particular - can capture the same themes he helped propel into the important conversations around race, gender, and power dynamics in the last century....

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For NYJO’s ‘The Fire Next Time! A Tribute To James Baldwin’, guest MD Peter Edwards; curator Lucy-Anne Daniels leading vocals with Akin Soul and two gospel singers and the next generation of NYJO jazz musicians come together to commemorate the life and legacy of one of the twentieth century's most uniquely significant English-language writers, James Baldwin. 

The programme consists of new compositions that Peter and Lucy-Anne have created with NYJO Emerging Professional musicians, inspired by Baldwin’s life. The performance draws from Baldwin‘s work, to explore the emotional and intellectual motifs that run through it, and how music - and jazz in particular - can capture the same themes he helped propel into the important conversations around race, gender, and power dynamics in the last century.

It is a touching musical journey through Baldwin’s influences from the Harlem Renaissance, through to his response to the civil rights movement and identity. Showcasing special arrangements of the soundtrack to Baldwin’s life, his love of jazz and the interweaving of improvised music with his words performed as lyrics. This performance directly responds to a timeline of James Baldwin’s influence from the civil rights era and LGBTQ+ liberation movements, through to his enduring and powerful legacy today.

“It might really turn into a symphony. It might not be a book.” ― James Baldwin, Just Above My Head

Join us as we honour the legacy of Baldwin, sharing conversational new works, highlighting the legacy of these giants whose work continues to inspire the next generation in the fight for Black and Queer rights.

James Baldwin (1924–87) was an acclaimed novelist, poet, essayist, playwright and activist. Spanning the disciplines of visual art, music and literature, Baldwin’s incendiary words and insights made him a leading voice at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s; and continue to show readers and campaigners a way forward in hope to this day.

Also known as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, NYJO is an organisation dedicated to making jazz and creative music-making more accessible to early-career musicians, young people, and audiences across the country. Throughout its activity, it seeks to create a meeting ground between the established and the experimental – the past, present, and future – to build bespoke programmes which cater to lifelong and new jazz fans.

Its main focus is the professional development of emerging artists and its Learning programme for under 18s. It works in close collaboration with like-minded partners to deliver projects that respond to local community needs and create an inclusive learning environment which centres the voices of young people.

Pianist, musical director, and composer Peter Edwards (b. 1983) directs the Nu Civilisation ensemble alongside leading his own trio. He was selected for the 2023-24 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences inaugural Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative.

Lucy-Anne Daniels (b. 2003) is a natural performer, creative improviser and talented musician. The Leeds native draws inspiration from singers such as Betty Carter, gospel duo Mary Mary, and Amy Winehouse and has taken to The Royal Albert Hall stage a number of times, including an appearance as part of the BBC Proms for Sarah Vaughan’s centenary in 2024.

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Specific set times are only made available on the day of the event, please check the venue’s website page for the most up to date information.

All ages are welcome to this event but under 14's must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.

This is a seated event and is allocated on a first come first serve basis. You cannot reserve a seat prior to the doors opening for any reason. If you have any specific seating requirements, please let a member of staff know on the night and they will be happy to help.

If you require a carer or personal assistant, this person can come in for free without a ticket. So long as you have a ticket for yourself, and you can provide proof of disability when you arrive. See a list of accepted forms of proof on the venue’s Visit page. No prior reservation required.

Refunds are not available for this event; you are welcome to re-sell tickets yourself on third party sites like TicketSwap.com

All regular venue policies apply to this event.

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