People, Places, Events   

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua OBE was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire. His parents are Yeta and Robert Joshua, with his mother being of Nigerian descent and his father having Nigerian and Irish roots. Joshua's Nigerian heritage can be traced back to the Yoruba people, where he holds an aristocratic rank. Interestingly, his cousin, Ben Ileyemi, is also a professional boxer, and they both began their professional boxing careers in 2013.

Born and raised in Wandsworth, London, Leomie Anderson is of Jamaican descent and embarked on her modelling career at the young age of 14 after being discovered. Initially aspiring to become a fashion journalist, her path took a different turn when she caught the attention of renowned designer Marc Jacobs at the age of 17, who promptly booked her for her first catwalk show, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.

Kano, the talented British MC, discovered his gift for words and song at a young age. Originally named Kane Brett Robinson (born 21 May 1985) and hailing from East Ham, he grew up in London during the emergence of grime music. As a founding member of the N.A.S.T.Y Crew in east London, Kano quickly made a name for himself in the underground music scene. His solo album, Home Sweet Home, released in 2005, showcased his exceptional talent with tracks like ‘P’s And Q’s’, propellin

At the age of 14, Jay Blades vividly recalls being subjected to a vicious assault by a group of police officers. Late in the evening, while walking home near his residence in North West London, a police van suddenly pulled up beside him. Without any hesitation, the van's rear doors swung open, revealing a group of five or six uniformed policemen eagerly awaiting his presence. Shockingly, they didn't even bother to conduct a search before unleashing a brutal attack on him.

Unfortunately, Jay Blades faced the challenges of dyslexia, a condition that went undiagnosed during his school years. This learning difficulty, coupled with the colour of his skin, subjected him to racism both within the educational system and from law enforcement authorities. Despite these obstacles, Blades persevered and embarked on a career as a labourer and factory worker during his youth.

Tomorrow’s Warriors Gary Crosby, in addition to his role as a working musician and band leader, holds the esteemed position of Artistic Director at Tomorrow's Warriors. This not-for-profit organisation was established by Crosby in 1992 with the noble aim of promoting diversity in the UK music industry, particularly in terms of race, culture, and gender.

As the Chief Executive of Tomorrow's Warriors, Irons has played a pivotal role in nurturing and empowering aspiring musicians. Recognising the need for representation and recognition of Black British jazz musicians, Irons and Crosby took another bold step in 1997 by founding the Dune Records label. This label has become a platform for talented musicians from Tomorrow's Warriors and has been instrumental in promoting and showcasing the rich diversity of Black British jazz.

Gary Crosby, OBE has made history by becoming the first jazz musician to be honoured with The Queen's Medal for Music 2018. This prestigious award, previously reserved for classical composers and musicians, has now recognised the immense contribution of a jazz artist for the first time. This groundbreaking achievement not only celebrates Crosby's remarkable talent but also marks a significant milestone in the recognition of jazz as a genre.

Denys Baptiste, an accomplished English jazz musician born in 1969, is a talented saxophonist who specialises in playing the tenor and soprano saxophones. Baptiste's musical journey began after he graduated from Tomorrow's Warriors, where he honed his skills and developed a deep passion for jazz music. His unique style of playing and his ability to compose music have earned him recognition in the jazz community.