Guildhall Improvisers' Ensemble
Voice
Cleveland Watkiss
Molly Davies
Emily Masser
Olesa Zgurskaia
Violin
Lotte Cutts
Alto Saxophone
Jamie Harms
Tenor Saxophone
Oskar Hentschel
Guitar
Alex Allen
Alex Bishop
Ralph Bishop
Keyboard/Piano
Joe English
Seb Lee
Bass
Marie Schweiger
Joseph Smith
Drums/Percussion
Jaime Alvarez-Valdes Coca
Natan Kedzierski
Max Kroon
Effects/Live Sampling
Auriane Blanc
Nuoon Kim
Bobby Langfield
Cleveland Watkiss MBE
Guildhall Fellow and alumnus Cleveland Watkiss MBE is a multidisciplinary British artist of Jamaican descent, born and raised in Hackney, East London. An award-winning vocalist, virtuoso vocal explorer, actor, composer and DJ, Watkiss is currently a voice professor at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Artist in Residence at Guildhall School.
A winner of the 2021 Ivors Composer Award for Innovation, Watkiss has made a significant and lasting impact across a broad spectrum of musical genres. Renowned for his versatility as a vocalist, he moves effortlessly between styles, from performing Bach double concertos on tour with leading classical violinist Nigel Kennedy and jazz standards with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, to touring the world with rock legends The Who. He has also performed and MCed with leading drum and bass artists Goldie, Fabio and Grooverider, and improvised with Pat Thomas and Orphy Robinson’s Blacktop. Watkiss is a founding member of the now-iconic Jazz Warriors.
Photo © Tatiana Gorilovsky
Forthcoming Events
Guildhall Big Band: Harlem Renaissance
13 November 2026
Milton Court Concert Hall
An evening celebrating the vibrant and eclectic music of the Harlem Renaissance – an era that marked a major turning point in the cultural and artistic history of New York’s African American community.
Guildhall Jazz Festival
18, 20, 21 & 22 November 2026
Milton Court
The creativity and originality of the Guildhall Jazz community are celebrated in the highly anticipated return of our Jazz Festival in November, presented in partnership with EFG London Jazz Festival.
Sir George Martin Centenary Concert
6 December 2026
Milton Court Concert Hall
Seventy-five years since his first output as a producer, this special performance reflects six decades of Martin’s pioneering production and musical inventions, performed by the Guildhall Session Orchestra.
Donate now:
inspire the
extraordinary
As one of the world’s leading conservatoires, we cultivate exceptional talent — but we can’t do it without you. Our supporters empower students to thrive, shaping the future of the arts.
Enjoy exclusive events, behind-the-scenes access and insider insights while making a real impact. Join our community, donate and choose how you’ll inspire the extraordinary.
visit gsmd.ac.uk/donate-support
or enquire at development@gsmd.ac.uk
Photo © Paul Cochrane
Links
For assistance with digital programmes, contact
© 2026 Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation
Chair of the Board of Governors
The Hon. Emily Benn
Principal
Professor Jonathan Vaughan FGS
Vice-Principal & Director of Music
Armin Zanner FGS
Guildhall School is provided by the City of London as part of its contribution to the cultural life of London and the nation.
