Junior Guildhall jazz students take to the stage at Pizza Express Live

Last month, students from the Jazz Department at Junior Guildhall got the opportunity to perform at Pizza Express Live on Dean Street in Soho, London. 

Three separate ensembles took to the stage of this well-known venue, and wowed a full audience with a combination of virtuosic solo playing and tight ensemble work.

This famous basement club first opened its doors in the 1970s and over the decades has played host to music legends including Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Van Morrison and Jacob Collier. 

Performing here gave the young musicians the opportunity to experience gigging in a professional jazz club environment, working with a live sound engineer.

Performance experience is one of the key benefits for all members of Guildhall Young Artists, who get the chance to perform in many different settings and venues, boosting their confidence and skills.

Our students arrived early for our second visit to the Pizza Express Jazz Club, and once again they seemed unfazed by the experience of being in a top London club. They set up and sound-checked like seasoned pros. 

The gig itself for a pleasure to listen to. A very high standard was demonstrated across the three groups and each set had a distinct personality, creating a varied and engaging experience for the audience.

Ollie Weston, Co-leader of Junior Guildhall Jazz Department

This was an extraordinarily uplifting event and an incredibly valuable opportunity for students. What was so impressive was the wealth and breadth of repertoire that students performed with an obvious understanding of the style, musical direction and polish.

Rosie Whitfield, Head of Junior Guildhall