TW Frontline @Festival EmergencesxJazz a Tours (Tours/France)

Last week, I had an incredible opportunity to be in Tours, France, with the Tomorrow’s Warriors Frontline band, a group of talented young female instrumentalists, and their Mentor Romarna Campbell.

We participated in the Festival Emergences as part of a partnership with Jazz à Tours & the venue - Le Petit faucheux. This event marked Frontline’s first international performance, and the response from the full house was nothing short of beautiful.

The organisers behind Festival Emergences, Le Petite Faucheux and Jazz a Tours are dedicated to creating an inclusive space that welcomes all talent, particularly underrepresented ones. Frontline’s performance served as a small seed planted to inspire change.

In an environment where female instrumentalists remain a minority, visionary leaders—like those I had the privilege to meet in Tours—who are willing to take action and acquire the tools to combat inequality are like beacons of hope.

Tomorrow’s Warriors Frontline, previously known as Female Frontline or Female Collective, has been more than just a band. It has provided a nurturing ground for many female talents, who have since blossomed into leading artists on both national and international music stages. This is a testament to the TW Frontline’s band / space impact.

Notable names such as Nerija, Sheila Maurice Grey, Cassie Kinoshi, Nubya Garcia, Shirley Tetteh, Rosie Turton, All Day Breakfast Cafe , etc- highlight the success and potential of female musicians in the Jazz scene underscoring the importance of representation for a healthier and more balance future for generations to come.

Jazz is about freedom for all, is about social justice…how can we Love JAZZ but ignore its values…let’s work together to build scenes that reflect and honour those values!!!!

The 2022-2024 TW Frontline feat Miranda Radford, Holly Renhardt , Kezia Pollendine

Tami Adebanjo, Mali Sheard, Klara Devlin, Keira Chakraborty.