Sunday 24 July at 3.00pm The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre

Presented by Gary Crosby, Tomorrow's Warriors, The JazzCotech Dancers and writer and performer Sheldon Skeete, Steppin' Over is inspired by the arrival in the UK in 1948 of almost 500 West Indians on board the famed SS Windrush, heralding the birth of a modern multicultural society in Britain.

Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of free entertainment featuring live swing dance and calypso music, and the best street jazz dance in the country that the whole family can enjoy.

Come and celebrate an era when Zoot suits and full skirts were the height of fashion, and jiving and jitterbug dominated the dance halls. Hear the great swing dance tunes of the time, delight in the wit of Calypsonian Grandmaster, Lord Kitchener's lyrics and, for the more energetic amongst you, get on the dance floor, shake a leg and drop some moves!

It's going to be a Tomorrow's Warriors members and alumni night at the Spice with Charlie Stacey - piano, Will Burcher - double bass and Moses Boyd (drums) supporting saxophonist Tony Kofi's Standard Time Trio with Rod Youngs (drums) and Dave Chamberlain (double bass). Charlie's Trio is on first and they'll be playing standards, originals and the odd Prince cover.

There was food, fun and plenty of music at the Tomorrow's Warriors Presents: Routes to Roots Sharing Day on Saturday 16 April at the Southbank Centre. 

Our good friend and seasoned pro photographer Howard Denner took these shots of A Dune Jazz Christmas at rehearsals and the event itself. Those who made it through the snow to Kings Place had a great evening, and if you came along we hope you all got home without too much difficulty. Thanks again Howard for documenting such a special night.

This is a recent post from the Black British Jazz project website:

One of the developing interests on the project is the work of Tomorrow’s Warriors, the educational project within Dune Music that Gary Crosby and Janine Irons have set up to provide a platform for young aspiring jazz musicians. While the focus of their educational work is with young musicians of the African diaspora, the ethos of the project is one of inclusion and diversity. Young players come from many social and musical backgrounds, sharing their passion for jazz. 

The Tomorrow’s Warriors project has yielded some spectacular results.Tomorrow’s Warriors Biggish Band, a septet of school age musicians, won the Yamaha Jazz Experience competition earlier this year and their prize for coming first is the opportunity to play at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in November opposite the legendary Jon Hendricks. Rather more experienced TW alumni have also been in the news; Empirical carried off the 2010 MOBO award for Best Jazz Act. These are just two examples of many groups and individual players who are within the TW umbrella or have recently emerged from it – other notable players include Binker Golding, Duncan Eagles, Alex Ho, Eddie Hick who are all in their different ways contributing to the London jazz scene.

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A regular weekend residency enabling Tomorrow’s Warriors to develop its various ensembles and repertoire in partnership with Southbank Centre

During this special project, which started in September 2009, Tomorrow’s Warriors is working with approximately 50 jazz musicians, the majority of whom are aged 15 – 25 years old

The programme consists mainly of rehearsals, workshops and masterclasses for the core ensembles, but there are also opportunities for other organisations and young individual musicians to participate

Taking place every Saturday at the Violet Room in the Festival Hall from 10am onwards

Find the Southbank Centre here