After a lifetime trying to get on an equal footing with its American parent, British jazz has finally come of age. Since around 2015, a community of young, London-based musicians has forged a style which, while anchored in the American tradition, reflects the Caribbean and African cultural heritages of many of its vanguard players. The scene demographic also corrects the gender inequality which continues to be a feature of life in Britain and which has, historically, been reflected in the jazz world.

Jazz was created by black musicians and black musicians have always been present in British jazz. Historically, however, they have experienced far less visibility than is the case in 2020. The same is true of women. Many of today's most prominent players and bandleaders are women. There is much to celebrate.

None of this came out of nowhere. The post-2015 radicals owe a debt to previous generations of trailblazers, most recently including