Music tuition for 70 disadvantaged London children

Here at the World Heart Beat Music Academy, we have been delighted to be able to open our students up to some very different experiences in the run up to summer...

In early June, we welcomed two of Japan's leading Jazz musicians to the Academy for an exclusive performance showcasing the beautiful, lyrical pianist Sumire Kuribayashi and master double bassist Hideaki Kanazawa.  It was a wonderful, relaxed evening session for all to enjoy!

Then on 28 June, we had a very special event where our students were invited to perform at the London Residence of the US Ambassador for their annual US Independence Day Celebrations, kindly hosted by the US Ambassador himself.  It was a wonderful experience including full band performances by some of our older students to entertain the huge crowds that had been invited but with a special Flash Mob performance by our superb New Orleans Second Line Band - this certainly got the crowds going!

Mid-July gave us two more super evenings back at the Academy.  The first with the supreme jazz pianist, Julian Joseph, a towering figure in contemporary jazz, signing his new book Music of Initiative - a deeply inspiring work in which Julian shares his insight into the philosophy and practice of jazz performance.  Some fine conversation and jazz performances rounded things off nicely!

The second was another very cool evening with Alex Heffes, the highly successful Hollywood film composer, who was able to join us to work with some of our students.  Following the workshop, family and friends were invited to come along for a fascinating hour of informal chat, to hear Alex himself perform and to hear him play with our young musicians.