Young musicians from across the borough gathered in Twickenham last month for a lively day of improvisation, rhythm and performance at a special jazz workshop.

Hosted at Waldegrave School on Sunday 8 February, the event marked the first ever Jazz Day organised by Richmond Music Trust.

Despite a week of heavy rain beforehand, the morning began in bright sunshine as jazz motifs played on trumpet, flute and electric guitar echoed through the school's performing arts studio.

As students arrived, tutors from Richmond Music Trust, including leaders of the Richmond Youth Jazz Band, Matt Cooper and Will Everitt, warmed up before kicking off the day with a lively performance from the Tutor Band.

Students were then divided into groups to work on their own version of the classic twelve-bar blues, adapted to suit different abilities.

Throughout the morning sessions, pupils were taught largely by ear, embracing the oral tradition of jazz and encouraging them to develop their musical instincts rather than relying on sheet music.

They were also encouraged to try improvising, a challenging task for many young musicians who are more used to rehearsing written pieces.

Although there were some initial nerves, tutors said students quickly embraced the challenge and were surprised by what they could achieve.

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During the break, pupils shared what they had been learning with each other, performing short musical snippets and even experimenting with instruments they had not played before.

In the afternoon, the group split into two sessions, a rhythm masterclass and a big band for woodwind and brass players, before exploring the sounds of Latin jazz.

Students worked on two well-known jazz pieces: A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie and Moten Swing by Count Basie.

The day ended with a performance for family and friends, where the groups came together to showcase the music they had learned.

While tutors say jazz cannot be mastered in a single day, the workshop gave students a taste of the genre's core ideas and the freedom of improvisation.

For young musicians keen to continue exploring jazz, the Richmond Youth Jazz Band rehearses every Saturday morning, offering opportunities to develop skills and perform regularly.

Jazz Day 2026 was the first in a series of specialist Sunday courses planned by Richmond Music Trust this year, following the success of its Instrumental Days programme in 2025.

Courses are available for a wide range of instruments and ability levels, with more information available on the Richmond Music Trust website here.

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