Outstanding live music for Herts and all around
The Watford Jazz Junction
Upcoming shows below
EDUCATION
Watford Jazz Junction delivers high-quality music education programmes for schools, combining live performance, creative participation and professional musicianship.
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Our work is designed to inspire young people, develop musical understanding and provide meaningful access to jazz and contemporary music through engaging, interactive experiences.
Our approach
We work in partnership with primary and secondary schools to deliver structured, inclusive and inspiring music education activity.
Programmes are led by professional musicians and tailored to suit the needs of each school, supporting creativity, confidence and active listening through participation.
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What we offer
Our education programmes include:
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Interactive workshops led by professional musicians
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In-school performances and demonstrations
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Creative projects and participatory sessions
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Opportunities for pupils to explore improvisation and musical expression
Jazz Train
Our flagship education programme, Orphy’s Jazz Train, is an immersive series of musical appreciation and improvisation workshops designed for primary school pupils.
Through the Jazz Train, pupils:
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explore the history and language of jazz
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develop confidence in music-making
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engage in creative improvisation
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experience live, high-quality musicianship up close
Our track record
We have delivered education activity across a number of local schools including Bushey Manor, Greenfields, Woodhall and St John’s.
To date, we have worked with over 300 children, delivering more than 30 sessions that support musical understanding, creativity and personal expression.
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Above: The National Youth Jazz Orchestra performing at our 2022 Gala Show in the Watford Palace Theatre, under musical direction from Mark Armstrong. May 2022.
Below: 2 participants in one of our festival jazz workshops. May 2024.
​Working with schools
We work closely with schools to ensure all activity is:
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aligned with school priorities and learning environments
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delivered in a structured and supportive way
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safely managed in accordance with school safeguarding procedures
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Safeguarding
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inspiring environment for all young people who take part in our education programmes.
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We maintain a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy, reviewed regularly and aligned with best practice for working with schools and young people.
Safeguarding and education activity is overseen by our Safeguarding & Education Oversight Group, comprising trustees and education professionals who support the development and implementation of robust policies and procedures across our work.
All tutors and visiting musicians are briefed on safeguarding expectations and operate in accordance with both our policy and the safeguarding procedures of the host school. Activities are delivered in supervised settings to ensure the wellbeing of all participating pupils at all times.
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OUR PROJECTS
Improvisation workshop
In May 2022 we created an improvisation workshop led by educator and percussionist George Double and supported by bassist Geoff Gascoyne, held at the Purcell Music School, for thirty 11-18 year olds.
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Above photo: a quintet from the Purcell Music School playing at our Jazz Steps event following our workshop. May 2022.
Festival percussion & jazz workshops
We've delivered several jazz percussion and rhythm workshops, in partnership with The Music Workshop Company, at the Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre as part of our May festival each year.
Led by principal tutor Donald Gamble, more than a hundred 4-12 year olds have participated on each occasion, many with no previous musical experience.
Above photo: members of our festival's jazz education team including principal tutor Donald Gamble (far left). May 2024.
Walkestra
In 2024 we founded the Watford Jazz Junction Walkestra, led by Orphy Robinson.
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The group supports musicians of all ages and abilities to come together and play jazz, developing confidence in public performance and improvisation.
Above photo: members of our inaugural Walkestra during a rehearsal. April 2024.
Orphy's Jazz Train
Working with different local primary schools, Orphy Robinson leads series of interactive workshops followed by assemblies and performances, in and out of the schools. The majority of children have no previous experience of making music.
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The project was initially supported with funding from Kindness UK & Sovereign Network Group and subsequently for 2026 from The Ronnie Scott's Foundation. Working alongside Orphy tutoring musicians have included Ilario Ferrari, Camilla George, Chris Newstead, Emily Masser, Georgina Jackson and Will Davis.
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Read a head teacher's feedback about how our Jazz Train impacted their school - link opens PDF.
Above photo: Orphy leading a whole-school assembly focused on the history of jazz and introducing improvisation at Bushey Manor Primary in Watford. January 2025.