Donovan Haffner, winner of the 'Jazz Newcomer' category at the Jazz Parliamentary Awards 2025 is a south-east London born and bred alto saxophonist. Donovan is an alumnus of the highly respected Tomorrow's Warriors Young Artist Development Programme and was mentored by Gary Crosby OBE, Binker Golding, and Alex Davis. After attending the workshops, he continued on to complete a jazz undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music. He has played with Moses Boyd, Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, and Balimaya. He has also performed with the Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson, Joshua Redman's pianist Paul Cornish as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, and was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of, American jazz legend, Charles Tolliver's Big Band, headlining at the Barbican as part of the London Jazz Festival. And Donovan is still very much part of the Tomorrow's Warriors musical family, performing with both Nu Civilisation Orchestra and Jazz Jamaica.

Deschanel Gordon, the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician winner has collaborated with artists including Mark Kavuma, Cassie Kinoshi’s Seed, Nubya Garcia, Courtney Pine, Ezra Collective, and Jean Toussaint. His music embodies swing, groove, and his Jamaican heritage, and his ability to navigate various styles and collaborate seamlessly makes him a standout figure in the contemporary UK jazz scene.

Will Sach is a double bassist working across jazz, improvised music, recording, and film. He has performed internationally with leading musicians, including extensive collaborations with Wynton Marsalis, appearing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Barbican and with Wynton’s Quartet at the Edinburgh International Festival. A core member of the Joe Webb Trio, signed to Edition Records, he features on the acclaimed album Hamstrings and Hurricanes, shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. Sach has collaborated with artists including Sam Amidon, Randy Brecker, Joe Farnsworth, Emmanuel Michael, and Kit Downes, records widely, and appears in Grant Gee’s film Everybody Digs Bill Evans, portraying Scott LaFaro. In 2026 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Dave Holland.

Gary Jones III is a New York City–based professional musician, drummer, composer, and bandleader from Cleveland, Ohio. He began playing at age four, rooted in Gospel music, and trained at the Cleveland School of the Arts, the Music Settlement (J@MS), and Tri-C JazzFest Academy. At 18, he performed with Terrence Blanchard at the Tri-C Jazz Festival. A graduate of The New School in Jazz Studies/Composition, Gary tours nationally and has collaborated with artists including William Parker, Sullivan Fortner, and Buster Williams. He leads his own quintet, bringing a fearless, contemporary sound centered on community, connection, and creative expression.