Timeless Icons: The Music of Miles Davis and Nina Simone Presented by NYJO at Cadogan Hall, London (Part of Chelsea Arts Festival).
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
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Timeless Icons: The Music of Miles Davis and Nina Simone
Presented by NYJO
Saturday 19 September 2026, 7.30pm
NYJO celebrates Nina Simone and Miles Davis with Fodder On My Wings and Birth of the Cool plus new arrangements by Tom Stringer. Featuring special guests Cleveland Watkiss MBE, Tony Kofi, Nikki Yeoh and Thanda Gumede.
Join NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) for an incredible night of iconic big band jazz, celebrating two of the all-time greats, Miles Davis and Nina Simone.
Fodder On My Wings celebrates Nina Simone’s 1982 album. The project has been conceived and musically directed by NYJO Emerging Professional musician and trumpeter Olivia Cuttill. NYJO is joined by an incredible lineup of star guests: vocalist and master improviser Cleveland Watkiss MBE, one of the UK’s foremost jazz saxophonists Tony Kofi, groundbreaking jazz pianist and composer Nikki Yeoh, and acclaimed singer Thanda Gumede.
NYJO’s Emerging Professional Musicians honour the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birth with a special nine-piece band, bringing to life the highly influential 1957 album Birth of the Cool, mirroring Miles Davis’ original nonet configuration. Alongside this, there will be performances of new arrangements of his iconic repertoire by bandleader and lead trumpet, NYJO’s own Tom Stringer.
NYJO exists to empower and inspire young people across the UK through jazz, providing opportunities for young musicians aged 18-25 to experiment creatively and develop the skills needed for a successful career.
Age restriction: 7+. No children under the age of 7 will be permitted into the auditorium.
This event is part of the 2026 Chelsea Arts Festival.
Performers
NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra)
Cleveland Watkiss MBE vocals
Tony Kofi saxophone
Nikki Yeoh piano
Thanda Gumede singer
Tom Stringer bandleader
Related Links
http://www.nyjo.org.uk
Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace
London SW1X 9DQ
Box Office: 020 7730 4500