JMI Youth Big Band
The JMI Youth Big Band is a bold, genre-defying ensemble of talented musicians aged 11–19, reimagining Jewish music through the lens of jazz and contemporary sounds. Under the dynamic direction of Sam Eastmond, the band delivers high-energy performances at leading venues and festivals, celebrating creativity, innovation, and the evolving spirit of Jewish musical heritage.
For all enquiries please email education@jmi.org.uk
JMI YBB ENSEMBLE PROGRAMME 2026 OPEN NOW!
About
Formed in 2017 through a creative spark between composer and bandleader Sam Eastmond and JMI’s Education Manager Raphael Knapp, the JMI Youth Big Band has grown into one of the UK’s most exciting youth ensembles. Bringing together talented musicians aged 11–19, the band fuses the rich traditions of Jewish music with the bold energy of contemporary jazz.
Since its inception, the band has performed to packed audiences at top London venues and festivals, including the Royal Festival Hall’s Clore Ballroom, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, Vortex Jazz Club, JW3, Jamboree and Regent’s Park Bandstand. Their dynamic sound and fearless creativity have earned national recognition and a growing fan base.
With two albums and two EPs under their belt, the JMI YBB continues to push musical boundaries. The ensemble regularly collaborates with internationally renowned jazz artists both live and in the studio.
The JMI is proud to be supported by the Ronnie Scott’s Foundation, All Aboard Shops and The Children’s Aid Committee Charitable Fund.
Funded by
Faculty
Sam Eastmond is a composer, arranger, bandleader, trumpet player and founder/musical director of the JMI Youth Big Band.
Eastmond is a regular collaborator with John Zorn. With his large ensemble the Spike Orchestra, he arranged and recorded albums in Zorn’s Masada Book Two (Cerberus 2015), Masada Book Three (Binah 2017), and, under his own name, Volume 16 of Zorn’s Bagatelles series (2023).
Alongside his interpretations of Zorn’s works, Eastmond has recorded an album of his own compositions for Tzadik Label (Splintered Stories 2020), and an album with a small ensemble for Chant Records (Gulgoleth 2018), as well as writing a chapter of Zorn’s Arcana IX (pub Hips Road/Tzadik).
Eastmond was a commissioned composer for the PRS Foundation New Music Biennial in 2019 which led to an IVORS nomination for large jazz ensemble composition. He has worked as a guest conductor with NYJO who, during the2021 London Jazz Festival, sold out a residency at Cafe Oto playing his arrangements of John Zorn’s Masada Books.
Eastmond also works as an ensemble leader and provides workshops and regular rehearsals across various London Music services in jazz, creative music, and big band playing.
Media
Listen to some tracks that the JMI Youth Big Band have recorded below.
(Info)“Dance” was born out of a powerful moment of reconnection during a workshop in June 2021, as musicians came together after a year of pandemic-induced isolation. The track captures the joy, release, and creative energy of making music in shared space once again.
Bet: We Are Here reflects the layered experiences of a diaspora community – often unseen, yet rich with identity, history, and resilience. “Dance” embodies this spirit: a vibrant expression of cultural fusion, where deep-rooted traditions meet contemporary voices. It’s a celebration of movement, memory, and the evolving nature of who we are.00:00 00:00
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Maoz Tzur 5781 is Sam Eastmond’s bold big band arrangement of the beloved Jewish festive tune, created during the second lockdown in 2020. With JMI YBB members recording remotely – on phones, laptops, or whatever they had – the track became a symbol of resilience and creativity in isolation.
Each part was stitched together into a proudly bombastic celebration of community and tradition. Featuring a fiery guest guitar solo by Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Sam Day Harmet, this track transforms a classic into a vibrant, genre-blending anthem of togetherness, innovation, and joy00:00 00:00
