Tom Smith is a 23-year-old saxophone player who has always felt a part of the music community. Having grown up in a musical family of trumpet players, Tom knew early on that he wanted a career in music. His instrument of choice is the saxophone for its greater opportunity to demonstrate personal flair and individuality. Tom has recently completed his jazz degree at the Royal Academy of Music, has a large role in the NYJO orchestra and was even featured in the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year of 2014 when they first included jazz as a category.

Tom is learning how to make a living in jazz through composition and is currently working hard to deliver his debut album with jazz band, Gecko.

Ben Appiah is one of the youngest members of the How to Make a Living in Jazz talent team but he has already got a wealth of experience in the music industry. His passion for drumming was discovered when he was 11 years old which led him to pursue jazz at school and university. Outside of study, Ben plays jazz in the NYJO and Bicester orchestras and within his futuristic jazz band, Steam Down, who have recently completed a European tour.

So futuristic is his composition that Ben was recently highlighted in Jazz FM’s Innovation and Best Experience of The Year awards! Ben has centred his future around music by making a living both through touring and teaching – where he hopes to continue the legacy of jazz by inspiring young people.

Christos Stylianides is a 22-year-old trumpet player whose passion for jazz was first discovered by chance within his primary school’s music programme. His talent for the trumpet has led him to graduate Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and he is currently learning how to make a living in jazz alongside his master’s degree at Trinity Laban. Christos is an example of hard work and dedication and brings a great wealth of scholarship and funding knowledge to the jazz talent on board the How to Make a Living in Jazz project.

Christos hopes to continue to let jazz take him all over the world, having already conquered the jazz scene in Scotland, Birmingham and London, as well as Cologne, Amsterdam and Berlin!