Femi Koleoso presents Situation Dance sessions [Pete Woodhead]

THERE is no doubt if it wasn’t for two youth/arts/mentoring programmes – Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetiko Bloco – that jazz in this city wouldn’t be in the happy space it occupies today. It is healthy, vibrant, inclusive, expanding and has long left the lame Fast Show jokes (“Nice!”) that plagued it for years in the dust.

The elder of the two, Tomorrow’s Warriors, is celebrating 35 years of existence with its Big Summer of Music programme of gigs by its various ensembles, many in and around its home base on the Southbank.

On July 30, on the complex’s open-air terrace, there a set by Tomorrow’s Warriors “Continuum” group, which will combine with members of the venerable Jazz Jamaica band to take a journey through ska, mento, calypso and other genres that have influenced today’s musical melting pot – including sax player David Kayode’ explosive exploration of African Hi-Life and, in particular, Yoruba rhythms. It’s a four-hour concert and it’s free.

On August 2 Ezra Collective’s ebullient drummer Femi Koleoso, who has worked with both Jazz Warriors and Kinetiko Bloco, gets behind the outdoor decks. Femi firmly believes God gave you feet for dancing, and with his Situation Dance sessions, he can not only get a crowd moving, but he also somehow magics up a real sense of community as he spins a “musical love letter to London”.

I went last year and I can thoroughly recommend it. Bring those comfy shoes on August 2, 1pm, free, no tickets required.

On August 14 at 7pm it is Kinetika Bloco who step up, with a “Summer Showcase” in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall. KB has been in existence for 26 years, and its graduates can be found in bands like Ezra, Kokoroko and Steam Down. This is a chance to see again, (for free) the next generation of jazzers.

Note KB also has another free outdoor gig on the Riverside Terrace on August 20 at 6pm for four hours of music and dance.

There is a lot more going on at the Southbank over the coming months, for all of the above, and details of other music events, see: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/events/riverside-sessions/

Tomorrow’s Warriors also makes an appearance in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on August 2 for what it is calling an “Extraordinary Summer Showcase”. More on: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tomorrows-warriors-extraordinary-summer-showcase/

The organisation then takes over Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross on August 16 with a heavy-hitting line up of the TW Big Band featuring ESKA, the TW Junior Band featuring saxman Binker Golding, the TW Youth Ensemble featuring Denys Baptiste and the TW Nu Establishment, featuring the guv’nor Gary Crosby (who co-founded TW) and Zara McFarlane. See: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/summer-sounds-music-festival

For other TW gigs (and there are plenty) check out: https://tomorrowswarriors.org.

Ronnie Scott’s street party – it’s free, on August 1

• Talking of free events, Ronnie Scott’s club is throwing one of its famed street parties, closing down Frith Street on August 1 (11.30am start time) with a spectacular line up including groovemasters Blue Lab Beats, the splendid Daniel Casimir Big Band, trumpeter Jackson Mathod, plus Guvna B and Shae Universe adding rap and R&B to the mix.

It is a partnership with the Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene, organisations which fight to preserve live venues across the country, the lifeblood of not just jazz, but music of every stripe. I have been several times in the past – it gets VERY busy, so find your spot early.

One change: there are two stages this time around and the whole of Frith, which should make viewing easier. No tickets, just turn up and get down.

More on: https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/ronnie-scotts-street-party-2026