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TL student in final of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022

Thu 10 November 2022

Congratulations to Luke Bacchus, 4th year BMus (Hons) Jazz piano student, for reaching the final of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022. The prestigious event celebrates some of the UK’s most talented emerging jazz performers.

The biennial celebration of the most talented up-and-coming musicians on the British jazz scene, BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022 returns with a live final at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on Saturday 19 November.

Luke is one of five shortlisted finalists – aged 20 to 23.  They will showcase their talents accompanied by the acclaimed Nikki Yeoh’s Infinitum trio.

The Live Final

Staged in collaboration with the EFG London Jazz Festival, the Final will be broadcasted on BBC Four on Sunday 20 November from 8pm, presented by Jamz Supernova and Huw Stephens, both DJs and broadcasters.

All five young musicians will present a 14-minute set from the standard jazz repertoire. And each performance will include at least one piece composed or arranged by themselves.

The judging panel are saxophonist and composer Camilla George, pianist, composer and producer Bill Laurance, and member of global phenomenon Snarky Puppy and vocalist Claire Martin, OBE. Plus, TL alumni, multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Emma-Jean Thackray and composer, singer and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson.

Suzy Klein, BBC Head of Arts and Classical Music TV, said: “We are delighted to support some exceptional new British jazz talent, and to share their inspiring performances with audiences at home. It is such a privilege to shine a light on these rising stars, supporting them as they take their first steps in their careers in the music industry.”

2020 Winner

2020 winner, TL alum and jazz tutor, pianist Deschanel Gordon, is building a successful career performing in the UK and beyond. Only last month he featured on Reader’s Digest’s list of 50 Inspirational young UK jazz artists and composers to listen to as part of their profile piece on the UK jazz scene.

Where to watch and listen

As well as to the coverage on BBC Four, BBC iPlayer will host the Final for 12 months after initial broadcast, and BBC Radio 3 will broadcast event highlights on Saturday 3 December as part of J to Z, also on BBC Sounds.

Tickets for the live Final at the Queen Elizabeth Hall can be bought here.

Good luck Luke!

Interested in studying Jazz? Head to our Jazz pages to learn more.