News

A global youth music project Jack devised and helped lead has enjoyed a year-long journey around the world.

The Commonwealth Music Relay saw an original song 'carried' by young musicians around the 56 countries of the Commonwealth through 2023 and 2024, marking the Commonwealth's 'Year of Youth'. A new song, 'Symphony', has been co-written by young people from all of the Commonwealth regions, supervised by Jack and hit songwriters Pam Sheyne and Richard Harris, and has travelled the globe with new variations, cover versions and interpretations recorded by young people in each nation. 

There have been hundreds of video submissions already, including contributions from Uganda, Cameroon, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Nigeria, Antigua and Barbuda, St Helena Island, Canada, The Falkland Islands and the UK.

 Among several public performances will be an airing at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

The project is delivered by the Commonwealth Resounds, the Commonwealth's official music organisation.

Jack was delighted to present artist Q&As in front of live audiences at Switzerland's 2024 Verbier Festival and UNLTD. He was one of the hosts of the Cafe Croissant, interviewing Lily and Sascha Maisky, and Thomas Quasthoff.

Following a pilot at The Vale Primary School in 2023, Jack's children's seaside musical, Gulls & Buoys, has been rolled out more widely this summer. Three counties, four schools and nine classes, Years 3 - 6, have been learning the show from scratch, ready to perform it as their end of year production. A team of show mentors, professional musicians and workshop leaders trained by Jack, have gone in for weekly sessions, working alongside the school teachers and students. Parents, staff and students have collaborated to build sets and costumes. Jack then joined for the dress rehearsal and final performances, accompanying on the piano. Jack is grateful for the kind support of the GLF Schools Foundation, The Tasso Foundation and RMG Associates in making this possible.

This follows an education-themed fortnight for Jack, which included him speaking at the GLF Schools Conference  at Twickenham Stadium (discussing arts education), with staff representing 42 schools.

Jack has hosted two Scala Radio specials from New York City in a countdown to the TONY Awards. Going behind the scenes in Broadway shows and at NYC tourist hotpots, he had a dance lesson from the Broadway star of Chicago, trips to the top of the Empire State Building and Hudson Yards, visits to The Museum of Broadway and the Statue of Liberty, and interviews with shows including Back To The Future: The Musical, SIX, Wicked, The Who's Tommy and Aladdin.

Jack's work as ambassador for charity Music For Youth and creator of the UK's 'Thank Your Music Teacher' campaign was celebrated on BBC's The One Show. This video featured interviews with Jack and his former piano teacher Mike, Jack performing his original song 'In Tune', and mentoring young musicians at the Music For Youth  Regional Festival in Oxfordshire. 

Jack's first book has been released.

'Raising The Roof' provides a colourful and accessible introduction to classical music. It is illustrated by Michele Bruttomesso.

Published by Templar Books / Bonnier Books, it is available worldwide from 6th June.  

Jack was the presenter representing Scala Radio and Jazz FM at the official launch party and opening of Bauer Media's new  London HQ, The Lantern, an office and studio complex which is home to other Bauer brands including Magic Radio, Absolute Radio and KISS. 

Jack performed on the piano alongside flautist Lisa Friend and trumpeter Gabriel Taylor. Other presenters in attendance included Ken Bruce, Fleur East and Jordan & Perri. 

Jack has stood in for Charles Nove on Scala Radio breakfast for two weeks in May and again in August. He has previously stood in for the likes of Penny Smith and Richard Allinson.

Jack was invited to attend HM The King's Garden Party for the Creative Industries at Buckingham Palace. It took place on Wednesday 15th May, with HM The King, HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Duchess of Gloucester in attendance. 

Jack has launched 'Curtain Call: Classical', the new classical music show for British Airways' in-flight entertainment and a sister programme to 'Curtain Call: Musicals', which Jack also presents. The two shows are available on all BA long-haul flights worldwide. Both series can also be heard on Aer Lingus.

 Jack was honoured to join the voting panel for the 2024 BRIT Awards.

He also sat on the judging panel for the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Awards.

3,000 of the UK's finest young musicians aged 25 and under came together at the Royal Albert Hall for the Music For Youth Proms. They premiered songs from Jack's new musical, Duet, which tells the inspiring and harrowing real-life story of Jack's former piano teacher, Mike. Jack wrote the music, orchestrations and arrangements for the event, totalling 25 minutes of music. He also devised the show theme and accompanying campaign, A Thank You Note, #ThankYourMusicTeacher.

There has been extensive national and regional coverage, including from BBC News and BBC London, a live interview and performance on BBC Radio 4's PM programme with Evan Davis, and Jack has written pieces for The Times and for Gramophone Magazine, exploring his own inspiring teacher Mike, his orchestrations for the Proms and curating a playlist of music teacher-composers through time.

The campaign was announced by Campaign Newspaper Partner, The Times, with support from Campaign Radio Partner, Scala Radio. Other Campaign Partners include the Royal Albert Hall, the National Education Union and Musicians' Union, with support from the ISM and UK Music. Julian Lloyd Webber contributed the first Thank You Note video, with more star supporters from across genres to come.