Q&A: Gary Crosby

Would you say that music has the power to change people?

I've always believed that art generally, but specifically music, has a way of taming the beast in man. It's music that saved me in my teenage years and stopped me from getting involved in self destructive behaviour. It was the fact that I could go home and take out a bass or trumpet and engage with myself. In a practical sense it kept me away. On a Friday night when there were gang fights and parties getting raided, I would be at home practising. But in a more deliberate way it inspired me and fired up my imagination.

I honestly believe that art can save the world. We just have to find a way to integrate it into our everyday lives, and not just in an educational sense but from an entertainment and communal perspective too. The jazz stars of today that came through the Tomorrow's Warriors programme have all had challenges of some sort. Whether familial, social or financial – in all those cases I've seen how the music has saved them.

Does being surrounded by so many talented young musicians inspire your own craft?

It does! But then there are times when it works against it. Because the thing about your own craft, regardless of inspiration, is that you need time to put the work in. When it comes to making music, you have to focus completely on yourself and your own craft, but when it comes to teaching you have to care about others and give your time. Sometimes balancing the two can be difficult.

Two years ago, I had a brain haemorrhage that led to a stroke which debilitated me, and I couldn't play my instrument for quite a while. But then I would watch Ezra Collective, who had graduated from the Tomorrow's Warriors programme, playing Glastonbury on the TV and it would really inspire me.

Is it important to perform frequently as a musician?

Yes! Because that inspires you to want to learn more. Performing is one of the most important parts of a musical education, aside from practising at home and getting your understanding of your instrument to a certain level. Performing with your peers in front of your friends and family is something that creates healthy competition and helps you to improve. You want people to say at the end of the concert ‘thank you, you sounded great.’

Would you say that peer to peer learning plays a significant part in the Tomorrow's Warriors programme?

‘Each one teach one’ is part of Tomorrow's Warriors basic philosophy. It's the idea that if I learn this particular skill, not only am I going to use it in a commercial or public sense but I'm also going to use it to teach someone else. A lot of our alumni will come back and give a lesson for free or talk to the youngsters, as they've realised that it's an important and necessary contribution that we can make to society: to give back those skills that we've learnt.

What inspires you to keep making music?

I go into Evelina hospital once every month or so to play at the school. The most rewarding thing for me are the smiles on their faces as I play – it makes me realise that that's what my trade is all about. It isn't about playing at the biggest halls, making loads of money or receiving the greatest applause. Being a musician has a larger and more meaningful contribution. Music and art can spread more love and harmony.

To find out more about Tomorrow's Warriors and their programmes and initiatives visit tomorrowswarriors.org