Our ZEDRA Talent Development musicians are thriving thanks to ZEDRA, the global active wealth, corporate and fund solutions specialist, which provides continued funding of our successful jazz programme.
The following seven musicians have been selected for the programme due to showing significant promise. The funding enables them to reach their full potential; the students receive tuition from exceptional musicians, attend masterclasses from visiting artists, play in regular combo and ensemble sessions, perform in a wide variety of venues and benefit from further opportunities from the ZEDRA partnership.
Sebi Rodrigues-Florez (aged 16)
Playing saxophone & upright bass, electric bass and piano, Sebi comes to World Heart Beat nearly every day. He learns with Tony Kofi, plays latin jazz, led by Omar Puente and has started writing his own songs. Recently he performed at Live at the Bandstand as part of Summer in Battersea Park, Latin music at the Planet Harmony Concert and with the 51st State Big Band at Embassy Gardens. He will be playing in the EFG London Jazz Festival at the iconic 606 club on November 17 this year.
Arturs Maskalans (aged 17)
Playing piano and violin, Arturs also comes to us at Kimber Road almost every day. Arturs has just passed his Grade 8 piano, with Merit, and we are really looking forward to his progress next year on the ZEDRA Development Programme. He plays violin in World Heart Beat’s Latin band and also plays Celtic folk music. Arturs will be playing as part of ‘Together We Go Forward‘ at the 606 as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
Miila Dietz (aged 18)
Miila has just received a place to study at Trinity Laban music college, with a scholarship. She has been gaining strength and confidence with her jazz scatting, and last week performed solo with our 51st State Big Band at Embassy Gardens. She sounds fantastic!
Louis Prynn (aged 17)
Learning upright bass and electric bass, Louis is getting ready to audition later this year for music college. He performed at the Brewers in London with his jazz trio and at the ‘Live at the Bandstand’ event as part of Summer in Battersea Park. In September, he will be playing with the 51st State Big Band, and he will also be a part of ‘Together We Go Forward‘ at the 606 as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
Olivia Rybarcyzk (aged 15)
Learning flute, saxophone, violin and a keen vocalist, we are so pleased to be developing Olivia as there is a big demand for female jazz musicians. Olivia has just passed her Grade 7 flute with Merit, learns saxophone with Tony Kofi, will be joining our 51st State Big Band in September and will be performing at the 606 in November. Olivia comes to World Heart Beat nearly every day, and has recently performed at Live at the Bandstand, played Latin music in the Planet Harmony concert, and Celtic music on the violin in the Bloomsday Festival at Embassy Gardens in June. She is also part of our popular ‘Summer Jazz Hang programme’ which takes place across our two venues, at Embassy Gardens and Kimber Road.
Jasnique Sutherland (aged 15)
Jasnique learns flute and saxophone and again, we are so pleased to be developing her musical talent and seeing her shine. Jasnique is preparing for Grade 8 flute with Merit, learns saxophone with Tony Kofi, and is doing brilliantly.
Amaya Sanchez-Padron (aged 17)
Amaya plays flute and sings; she recently made her debut at the Live at the Bandstand event and will be performing with the others at 606 on 17 November. Another future jazz star in the making!
