David Lyttle

Artistic Director

MOBO Award nominated Northern Irish drummer/composer David Lyttle started out in the band of Ireland’s jazz legend Louis Stewart and has gone on to bring his projects to almost 40 countries, this year including Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey and throughout the UK and Europe. He has worked with jazz icons, from Joe Lovano to Kurt Rosenwinkel, and recently collaborated in spoken word with Liam Neeson. Committed to the mentorship of new talent in Ireland and beyond for fifteen years, he has been an important presence in the early careers of many acclaimed performers. David has given masterclasses on performance and music business in four continents, from the University of Toronto to Cairo’s Music Hub. Closer to home he has a long association with Sligo Jazz Project and Moving On Music, and he has been the NI ambassador for UK outreach charity Live Music Now since 2018.

Nigel Tully MBE

Chair

Veteran businessman Nigel Tully entered the world of jazz education following several decades with IBM. He is the former CEO and current chair of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and and a Pastmaster of the  Worshipful Company of Musicians, whose Jazz Committee he started with the help of the late Sir John Dankworth. As a musician he plays guitar, saxophone and sings with his acclaimed function band The Dark Blues, which has performed for royalty and celebrity clients. He even claims to have invented the covers band. Nigel brings a wealth of business skills to Jazzlife Alliance and helps us forge stronger links with the rest of the UK.

Maeve Falconer

Board Member

A former professional opera singer and vocal coach for Sony and others, Maeve is now an autism psychologist. She is highly experienced at working with young people and currently trains young choral scholars at St. George’s Church, Belfast. As her three sons all play jazz, Maeve understands the challenges faced by those learning jazz at a young age. We value her insights into the mind of the young musician and look to her for all matters relating to safeguarding.

Tony Wright

Board Member

Performer, songwriter and composer Tony Wright’s vast achievements in music include his early years as a founding member of And So I Watch You From Far, several years as a solo artist under the moniker VerseChorusVerse, which included a #1 Amazon Blues spot and an NI Music Prize nomination, a publishing deal with Kobalt and the launch of his book and accompanying one-man show, both called Chapter & Verse (Chorus Verse). Also experienced as a music mentor, Tony brings fresh ideas to our schemes and helps us understand the broader needs of Northern Irish arts.