The Improvisers’ Workshop is a Guildhall School group focusing on creative jazz improvisation, approaching the jazz ensemble as a malleable vehicle for contemporary composition. This performance will feature tap dancer Annette Walker. Walker’s invitation to feature in this concert is inspired by Geri Allen’s composition ‘The Dancer’, and a live performance with Allen’s trio and tap dancer Maurice Chestnut in 2009 (Geri Allen & Timeline Live).
Annette’s new solo tap show debuts at the Albany on 6 July 2023! Free-flowing storytelling about Will Gaines with improvised tap dancing by Annette accompanied by Alex Ho on piano, followed by a tap jam with live music by The Rhythmaticians.
An evening of jazz-inspired sacred music by Duke Ellington and Michael Tippett, including instrumental standards performed by Phoenix Big Band.
Concert on 18 March 2023: Duke Ellington’s wonderful sacred music the All Stars Jazz Band, soprano Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and tap dancer Annette Walker, all conducted by Jeremy Backhouse.
“11 Jun 2021 – Join Tomorrow’s Warriors as bassist Gary Crosby and saxophonist Aleksandra Topczewska perform an afternoon of fun, light-hearted jazz standards, with the exciting addition of tap dancer Annette Walker.” Oxford House
The Rezidents is led by bassist and composer Gary Crosby, co-founder of the jazz development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors.
Professional musicians who have a link to Tomorrow’s Warriors reconnect and make music together in a relaxed and collaborative way.
In February 2019 I was invited as a guest artist to Jumoké Fashola’s Jazz Verse Jukebox at Hoxton Hall (London, UK) and was thrilled to close a fabulous evening of poetry and jazz.
‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’ is the action-packed show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club – New York City’s legendary nightclub of the 1920s and ‘30s. I joined the cast as a guest solo tap dancer…
A lovely gig at Folklore with my music friend Devaki Thomas and her indie band with a psychedelic roots rock sound from southeast London Stunflower.
2020 update: The WTW Big Band was renamed the CB Johnson Big Band in 2019 in honour of the late CB “Cool” Johnson who was the Music Director for many years and an integral member of the music community. CB was a kind and generous musician and facilitator that generated a safe and nurturing environment for new and existing musicians alike and will be greatly missed. RIP CB.
