The UK’s leading musicians’ development and music outreach charity Live Music Now is delighted to announce MOBO nominated Irish musician David Lyttle as Ambassador for its Northern Irish branch. Lyttle, virtuoso jazz drummer, recording artist, composer and producer, was a musician on the Live Music Now scheme between 2010 and 2014. Working with his trio, the drummer brought jazz to thousands of children and older people in care homes, day centres, hospitals and hospices and saw firsthand the impact of high quality live music experiences on marginalized groups.
In his new capacity David will also mentor some of Live Music Now’s newest young musicians in this year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival as part of a programme of schools workshops, funded through Derry City Council and Strabane District Council. The programme will reach thousands of children across the area.
Alice Lewis, Director of the NI branch, commented
‘As well as bringing the joy and energy of live music to people who may be marginalized through disability, illness or loneliness, our key aim is to develop the careers of exceptional young musicians. David Lyttle is an exemplar in this regard and we are very proud to count him among our alumni. It is an honour to have such a prestigious musician take up a new role with us as Ambassador, helping to advocate for our work and to develop our profile. We’re also delighted that David is taking on a Mentoring role with some of our newest musicians on the scheme, who will benefit from his consummate artistry and years of experience.’
David Lyttle said
‘Live Music Now played a key part in my early career by placing me in regular, unusual performance scenarios and providing me with paid work that was still creative and challenging. Some of my most rewarding experiences in music have been through LMN. As my career has progressed and presented new challenges, I regularly think of those times to remind myself of the real power of music.’
David, who will perform in the jazz festival at The Playhouse on Saturday 5 May, added,
“I have a long association with the Derry Jazz Festival and they have supported me since the beginning of my career, almost fifteen years ago. I’m very happy to be helping the festival bring jazz to young people through this innovative Live Music Now project. In an era where real music is constantly devalued and underrepresented, it’s increasingly important that children get to experience creative, challenging music, and to meet musicians who have dedicated their lives to becoming great artists. It is important not just for the future of music but for their own minds.”
To find out more about Live Music Now livemusicnow.org.uk
