The world-famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club has launched its third Charitable Foundation Instrument Amnesty today.

The initiative asks the general public to donate unused and unwanted musical instruments and equipment that can then be distributed to schools youth groups around the UK and overseas.

These have been selected due to their lack of instrument provision or because their economic status or geographical location has prevented young people from learning to play.

Beneficiaries

Since 2015, 350 instruments have been donated with donors receiving a tracking number so that they can follow their instrument's journey. This year beneficiaries include Mount Merrion Academy in Belfast, Parkway Primary School in West Yorkshire or at Music Art Society in Nepal.

The amnesty will take place on Saturday 20th July.

High profile donors

Numerous high profile musicians have supported the initiative such as Sam Smith, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Nitin Sawhney and Norah Jones, with this year's campaign kick-started by the inimitable Jools Holland OBE, whilst two-time Grammy award-nominated trumpet player Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is donating a Bach TR500 student trumpet.

Ther donors are James McVey, lead guitarist of the rock band The Vamps, singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, Blue Lab Beats, Rudi Cresswick, Project Karnak, Femi Koloseo from Ezra Collective and Joao Caetano.

Owning your own instrument is key to becoming an accomplished musician; unfortunately, this is not a cost all families and schools can affordFatine Boumaaz, Head of Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation

Help

Fatine Boumaaz, Head of Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation, said: "Owning your own instrument is key to becoming an accomplished musician; unfortunately, this is not a cost all families and schools can afford.

Our initiative helps tackle this issue and we are glad to help support young aspiring musicians in their musical journey."

2019 beneficiaries are set to include The Nucleo Project in North Kensington, a music programme that uses musical excellence as a way of enriching the lives of young people; Music in Detention, which brings together immigrant detainees with professional musicians to create and enjoy music; Mount Merrion Music Academy in Belfast, which offers accessible and affordable music tuition to the local community; and Parkwood Primary School in West Yorkshire.

Owning your own instrument is key to becoming an accomplished musician; unfortunately, this is not a cost all families and schools can affordFatine Boumaaz, Head of Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation

Brass for Africa

International beneficiaries for 2019 will also include Brass for Africa in Uganda and Music Art Society in Nepal, which provide free musical tuition to the most vulnerable children, alongside DCMA in Zanzibar, which is the first and only music school on the island.

Drop it off

Members of the public who would like to donate a musical instrument should ensure their instrument is in good condition before dropping it off at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT) on Saturday 20th July from 10 am to 4pm.

For large instrument donations or for more information, please contact Fatine Boumaaz on fatine@ronniescotts.co.uk