A pre-eminent figure in UK jazz, it’s hard to overstate the impact that Gary Crosby has made on the UK jazz scene, as a bassist in the original Jazz Warriors, founder of Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop, Jazz Jamaica, and Nu Civilisation Orchestra, band leader of Groundation, and more, his musicality stretches across the genre. However, it is as Co-Founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors that his impact is perhaps most profound – so it’s fitting that, on his birthday, Gary takes a solo spotlight for an evening where he will be surrounded by just some of the young jazz talent that he has helped nurture. Gary will be joined by special guest Annette Walker, one of the leading exponents of a new generation of tap dancers, whose graceful syncopation will lock in with Gary’s deep bass vibes.
Kassa Green-Jakcsi is a talented 17-year-old alto saxophonist from London, currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music. Born and raised in Hackney, he started learning piano before discovering his love for the saxophone at 8 years old. Inspired by the likes of Kenny Garrett, Immanuel Wilkins, and Herbie Hancock, Kassa’s growing reputation as an innovative composer with a powerful approach to improvisation has already got many in the London jazz scene anticipating an exciting musical journey ahead. He joined the acclaimed Tomorrow’s Warriors Young Artist Development Programme at the age of 14, where he has gained experience playing in their Youth Ensemble and Nu Civilisation Orchestra. Currently mentored by Gary Crosby, Binker Golding, and Denys Baptiste, he has had the privilege to perform at Dizzy’s Club in New York, the Barbican, and the Southbank Centre, as well as Love Supreme and We Out Here festivals. Kassa will be bringing his quartet to the Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2026, made up of some of London’s finest young musicians, playing his original compositions as well as interpretations of common jazz repertoire.
Steppin’ Over is a band born from the renowned Tomorrow’s Warriors development programme and mentored by Jazz Jamaica founder, Gary Crosby OBE. This talented group of musicians brings a vibrant mix of ska, calypso, mento, and Blue Beat to the stage, guaranteed to get you dancing and feeling the rhythm.
About Tomorrow’s Warriors
For over 30 years, Tomorrow’s Warriors has played a vital role within its community and the wider music industry and has been credited with literally changing the face of UK jazz. Free access to Tomorrow’s Warriors artistic programme has proved crucial in nurturing the nascent talent and early careers of so many of the most exciting UK artists currently tearing up the international jazz scene including Mercury Prize 2023 recipients and BRIT Awards Best Group 2025 winners EZRA Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet, ESKA, Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Robert Mitchell, Soweto Kinch, Shirley Tetteh, Byron Wallen…the list goes on. A Black-founded and Black-led organisation, Tomorrow’s Warriors offers a pioneering, free to access, comprehensive programme of learning and training which champions and supports young Black and female talent and those who come from challenging circumstances that would be a barrier to accessing opportunities to pursue a music career.
