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Trinity Laban and National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) have pledged to support each other to ensure diversity, inclusivity and accessibility within jazz education. The initiative includes the new NYJO-Trinity Laban Award, in support of a talented young musician studying on the conservatoire’s Jazz degree programme.

Trinity Laban and NYJO, both leading music education organisations, will work together to design and implement a range of activities and projects to benefit all age groups in their surrounding local communities of Greenwich, Lewisham and Woolwich.

At the core of this relationship is the NYJO-Trinity Laban Award. The annual award, funded by NYJO, supports one talented young musician studying Jazz at Trinity Laban. The inaugural recipient is first year jazz student David Ijishakin.

Before joining the Jazz Department this September, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David, aka Akin Soul, founded the 12-piece band Akin Soul & The Soul Tribe. The band have performed at BBC Music Day at Pop Brixton and All Points East Festival.

Following the release of David’s debut single ‘I Want You’, the South London 19-year-old released his hotly anticipated second track ‘Burning Fire’ in November.

On joining Trinity Laban’s BA (Hons) Music Performance programme as the first recipient of the Award David comments –

“I feel very privileged to receive the NYJO-Trinity Laban Award. I’m excited for what is to come within these next few years of growth as a musician and an individual. I’m very appreciative of the support I’m receiving from both NYJO and Trinity Laban on this journey.”

Principal of Trinity Laban Anthony Bowne comments –

“We are proud to be working with NYJO to further our commitment to widening access for talented and dedicated jazz stars of the future like David Ijishakin.

“In recent years, Trinity Laban has become a hothouse for the London jazz scene, with graduates such as Moses Boyd, Laura Jurd and Nubya Garcia enjoying critical and commercial success through their artistic excellence and originality.

“With the support of NYJO and their inspirational nationwide educational work, we are excited to build on our reputation as a future-focussed and socially engaged conservatoire and explore the ways in which our newly formed strategic relationship will continue to promote the exciting, engaging and inspirational musical genre of jazz.”

Nigel Tully, NYJO Executive Chair, comments –

“I have long admired Trinity Laban’s approach to jazz education, and the conservatoire’s Head of Jazz Hans Koller has added a unique dimension to it with his thoughtful approach, so I was absolutely delighted when the idea of this scholarship emerged in conversation between us while discussing ways that NYJO and TL could collaborate more closely.

“We share similar attitudes and values around this wonderful art form, and I am sure this is the only the start of a broader partnership. I’m particularly pleased that we’re able to help such a deserving young local resident.”

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Image: David Ijishakin (credit: Tane Stappard and Theo Geraghaty)