NYJO (The National Youth Jazz Orchestra) has appointed four new Resident Musical Directors (MDs) as part of a fresh and innovative approach to delivering its artistic vision. This strategic move marks a significant shift from the historical single Head of Music model to a more collaborative structure, aimed at enhancing the creative and educational experiences for young musicians across the UK.

NYJO, a registered charity and an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, is dedicated to bringing jazz and improvised music to young musicians aged 14-25 and audiences nationwide. With a mission to develop jazz talent and use jazz as a tool for social change, NYJO empowers young people through high-quality, accessible, and inclusive learning programmes and professional live performances.

The newly appointed Resident MDs will work closely with NYJO’s Head of Programmes, Vikki Maudave. Together, they will shape NYJO’s artistic programming, ensuring it remains exciting, relevant, and inspirational. Each MD will bring their unique expertise to different aspects of NYJO’s musical and educational offerings, from professional development to repertoire selection.

The four new Residents MDs are:

Winston Clifford: one of Britain’s leading jazz drummers, Winston brings a wealth of experience from playing with renowned musicians like Courtney Pine and Archie Shepp. Since 2021, he has been running the NYJO Under 18s Ensemble, where he focuses on developing young musicians’ skills in ensemble playing, learning by ear, and improvisation. His holistic approach to music education encourages students to ‘feel the tune’ and develop a deep, fun relationship with music.

Ahnansé: Wayne Francis, known as Ahnansé, is a multi-instrumentalist, founder and driving force behind the southeast London jazz collective Steam Down. He has been instrumental in the local jazz renaissance, leading community-driven, improvised music sessions. Ahnansé’s collaboration with NYJO began in February 2024, where he led a project for young musicians to compose original works. He continues to mentor and inspire through various NYJO programmes, including a Big Band x Steam Down crossover.

Olivia Murphy: an emerging voice in the British jazz scene, Olivia is a composer, conductor, and educator. A former NYJO young composer-in-residence, she directed a UK tour featuring her arrangements of Amy Winehouse’s songs. Now, as the MD and lead educator of the NYJO Under 18s Band, Olivia encourages young musicians to explore Big Band music in innovative ways, blending tradition with new approaches.

Vij Prakash: a trombonist, composer and educator, Vij performs with projects like The Brass Funkeys and holds a residency at Ronnie Scott’s. Committed to music education, Vij has led workshops for prestigious institutions and currently manages the music programme at the Cambridge School for Visual and Performing Arts. Since 2018, he has been involved with NYJO’s learning programmes, recently developing a New Orleans style brass band for various festivals.

Vikki Maudave, NYJO’s Head of Programmes, “We are incredibly proud to be working with Winston, Ahnansé, Olivia, and Vij in leading NYJO into the future of jazz. Their diverse skills and experiences will be instrumental in driving our new artistic vision forward. This collaborative approach will not only enhance our programming but also ensure that we continue to inspire and nurture the next generation of jazz musicians.”