Jazz Warriors
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Jazz music, albums, EPs |
The Jazz Warriors emerged as a London-based jazz ensemble composed entirely of black British musicians, making their first appearance in 1986. They originated from the Abibi Jazz Arts collective, an organization dedicated to celebrating black cultural expression, and provided a platform for black British artists that extended beyond the prevalent funk and reggae scenes.
Jazz historian John Chilton noted that the Jazz Warriors served as a crucial springboard for launching the careers of several prominent jazz figures. Their discography includes a single album, Out of Many, One People, released in 1987. Although many members embarked on individual projects, the group continued performing together until 1994 and later reunited in 2020.
History
Established during the 1980s with a membership exceeding 25 musicians, the Jazz Warriors spotlighted emerging black British talent such as Courtney Pine, Steve Williamson, Cleveland Watkiss, Phillip Bent, Orphy Robinson, and Gary Crosby. Numerous members went on to gain international acclaim.
Gary Crosby, a former member, characterized the band's performances as "raucous, raw... so exciting," highlighting their vibrant and intense stage presence.
Their only album, Out of Many, One People (1987), featured contributions from artists including Brian Edwards, Andy Harewood, Val Maniks, Mark Mondesir, Kevin Robinson, Alan Weekes, Mamadi Kamara, Adrian Reid, Philip Bent, Ray Carless, Robin Walker, Trevor Edwards, Claude Deppa, Harry Beckett, Andy Grappy, Orphy Robinson, and Cleveland Watkiss.
Guided by pianist Adrian Reid alongside a leadership committee of senior members, the ensemble toured extensively into the late 1990s. They issued the EP Chameleon on their own Jazz Warriors Records label, which garnered international attention and was included in the popular compilation The Rebirth of the Cool Vol 2 (4th & B'way Records; 1993). Later additions such as Jason Yarde, Dennis Rollins, Winston Rollins, Robert Mitchell, Clarence Adoo, Byron Wallen, Rowland Sutherland, Tony Kofi, Robert Fordjour, Steve and Peter Lewinson, Tony Remy, and Patrick Clahar further reinforced the band’s role in nurturing young black British jazz musicians.
Courtney Pine's Afropean Jazz Warriors
On 6 October 2007 at London's Barbican Centre, Courtney Pine directed a fifteen-piece group named "Afropeans" to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. This ensemble united original Jazz Warriors members Pine and Jason Yarde with established black British jazz artists like pianist Alex Wilson and trumpeter Byron Wallen. It also introduced emerging talents such as Jay Phelps and Nathaniel Facey (from Empirical), cellist and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson, steel pan player Samuel Dubois, guitarist Femi Temowo, and Cuban electric violinist Omar Puente. The performance was captured live and released as an album titled Afropeans (Destin-e Records, 2008).
The Jazz Warriors International
In 2011, several founding members of the original Jazz Warriors established Jazz Warriors International with the goal of preserving the group's historical significance while expanding its influence within the global jazz community.
Tomorrow's Warriors
Founded in 1991 by original Jazz Warriors double-bassist Gary Crosby alongside Janine Irons, Tomorrow's Warriors is an organisation dedicated to jazz education and the professional development of emerging musicians aiming for careers in jazz.
Discography
- Out of Many, One People, 1987
- Chameleon (Jazz Warrior Records, JW1 Vinyl 12" 45 RPM UK), 1993
- "Chameleon", featured on The Rebirth of the Cool Vol. 2 (4th & B'way), 1993