BXL x LDN Interplay

BXLxLDN Interplay

Chantal Acda takes part in BXL x LDN Interplay, an international collaboration between Tomorrow’s Warriors (UK) and Brosella Festival (BE), in 2025. (Photo’s and video’s above are of the 2024 edition of BXL x LDN Interplay)

In this project, three up-and-coming student musicians selected by Tomorrow’s Warriors work with three Belgian counterparts, composing original tracks. During a four-day residence in Brussels, these six young talents get coaching from established musicians like Binker Golding and, in this edition, Chantal Acda. For the previous edition, Belgian musicians Bram De Looze and Stéphane Galland joined.

The ensemble plays its debut show at Brosella Spring Festival, after which they continue their tour in Belgium (Brosella Jazz Festival, Jazz Middelheim…), the UK (Brick Lane Jazz Festival, We Out Here Festival…) and beyond. Every show is different as the students gain experience, learn to connect with each other and grow, and each performance showcases the new musical voices in London and Brussels.

Gary Crosby, co-founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors: “Collaboration is what makes jazz so exciting. It’s about bringing people with different backgrounds together and creating new music.”

Tomorrow’s Warriors has been a staple of the British jazz community for over 30 years. They are known for supporting exciting artists like Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia. Based in the Southbank Centre in London, the organization focuses on developing the talents of young, non-white and female artists. Since 1991, Tomorrow’s Warriors has reached over 10.000 aspiring musicians with their free jazz training.

Brosella Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Belgium, offering a selection of urban ethno and jazz. The festival supports both established artists and up-and-coming talents, focusing on inclusivity and collaboration. Brosella Spring Festival is dedicated to premieres and release shows by local talents, often by offering them the chance to work with international artists.