Jay Rayner Joins Leeds Conservatoire Students For Jazz Performance

In an exciting first for the Sounds of Leeds Conservatoire series, special guest Jay Rayner performed with students in front of a packed audience.

The writer, journalist, broadcaster and musician has performed live for many years, both as a jazz pianist and in one man shows associated with his books. He studied in Leeds in the 1980s and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with current students in the city.

Following an afternoon rehearsal with Matthew Rowell on bass, Kurtis Scotland on tenor sax, plus drummer Jacob Preater, all studying on the conservatoire’s Jazz course, Jay shared the following:

“We’ve been working our way through arrangements that I know very well because I tend to gig them with my own sextet, and it’s a very special part of my life. It’s a side hustle that got wildly out of control and the fact that I’m able to do this today is a source of joy.”

The seasoned speaker kicked off the evening’s proceedings, in 350-seat auditorium The Venue, with an entertaining talk on ‘how to woo an audience through the power of set lists, storytelling and a few lousy jokes.’ A Q&A session followed where he praised British jazz quintet Ezra Collective and shared his passion for all things musical theatre.

On the Steinway & Sons concert grand piano, he joined the students for a stunning performance of Magic Dance by Kenny Barron, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise and Sweet Georgia Brown.

The students who are at Leeds Conservatoire clearly know their stuff. They’re very skilled but they’re also very open to take direction, and they’re also very understanding of some old bloke who’s really a writer who also plays and they’re willing to come to my level and I really appreciate that,” Jay added.

Classical pianist Ellis Arey, who featured on Channel 4’s The Piano, and country outfit The Wranglers completed the evening’s line-up. Sounds of Leeds Conservatoire provides a cross-genre showcase of the conservatoire’s finest performing talent. Find out more at leedsconservatoire.ac.uk.

Visit jayrayner.co.uk/shows for upcoming live dates including a one man show at Leeds’ City Varieties Music Hall on 13 May 2025.