The Watford Jazz JunctionI founded the Watford Jazz Junction in 2020 to present live music shows and an annual festival in south Hertfordshire.
Our first Gala Show featuring the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Tim Garland, Shri Sriram, Dennis Rollins and the Ilario Ferrari Trio.
A memorable show led by Cleveland Watkiss, presenting the Great Jamaican Songbook.
Emma Rawicz who performed with us live for a spellbound audience.
Chris Newstead speaking with Nigel Williams live from the festival - on air with Jazz FM during one of our early festival editions.
International steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas leading an exceptional performance on our Jazz Steps main stage.
Jazz and soul star Omar, performing a duet with Zara McFarlane, during one of our Gala Shows.
An audience gathering on a Watford village green to hear the Ronnie Scott's All Stars fronted by Emma Smith as part of our Jazz Steps events.
My work
Founded by me in 2020, I created the structure, governance and programming approach for a new jazz & jazz-adjacent live music organisation, created as a community interest company.
I appointed Orphy Robinson MBE to chair our board, which has included many different representatives across live music, live events, legal, financial and community backgrounds.
I have been responsible for raising £300,000 of funding (public & private) to support the activities of the Watford Jazz Junction including from The Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Scops Arts Trust and many more.
Commercial partnerships have included Hillier Hopkins, Ronnie Scott’s, Sovereign Network Group, London Square and Lit Fibre, as well as more than 50 local advertisers. Media partnerships include Jazz FM, One Jazz and Vibe FM, with further national coverage enhanced by Cerys Matthews at BBC6 Music.
As Director I have overseen 5 editions of our festival attracting more than 15,000 attendees and over 1000 musicians.
I have produced more than 50 additional live shows outside of the May festival period, covering advancing, production, sales, marketing, promotion and evaluation.