Jazzlife Alliance is a talent development organisation based in Northern Ireland under the artistic direction of internationally-acclaimed, MOBO Award nominated jazz musician David Lyttle. We have provided high-level mentoring opportunities and professional experience to exceptional talent in Northern Ireland, as well as the Republic of Ireland and Britain. Along with David Lyttle, our mentors have included Django Bates, Jesse Van Ruller and Jaleel Shaw, and our masterclass series has included Gwilym Simcock, Jean Toussaint, Phil Robson, Rachael Cohen, Neil Yates, David Kikoski and Christine Tobin.

In September 2021, thanks to the continued support of our principal funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, we launched our flagship educational initiative, Jazz Juniors. Now in its fifth year, over 30 young people are working with David Lyttle and our Associate Mentors at The MAC, Belfast; Strule Arts Centre, Omagh; the Market Place Theatre, Armagh; Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, and David’s Co. Armagh studio.

Students also receive masterclasses from acclaimed jazz musicians and have performed for over 2590 people nationwide. Once awarded a place on Jazz Juniors, these young people can continue their training with us until the age of 18.

We are very grateful for the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Honourable The Irish Society, the Wavendon Foundation, the PRS For Music Foundation and our patrons.