"Molly and the Owl is a jazz piece for young children. It combines a spoken story with an original jazz score to introduce children to the basic elements of the music. Jazz can be enjoyed and appreciated by all age groups, and its rhythmic nature makes it especially appealing to children. My hope is that Molly and the Owl will occupy a similar place in jazz as Peter and the Wolf does in classical music, and provide the young, and the young at heart, with a fun, accessible introduction to this great art form." Nick Tomalin. April 2005
In 2003 the band received funding from the Poplar Education Action Zone to perform the piece in schools in Poplar. These performances were followed up with some practical jazz workshops for the children.
In 2004 the band secured Arts Council funding to tour the piece around London and the surrounding regions. Venues included the Stables in Wavendon and the Drill Hall and Arts Depot in London. The tour was a great success
Mike Williams - saxophone
Mark Armstrong - trumpet
Nick Tomalin - piano
Dominic Howles - bass
Dylan Howe - drums
Story written by: Nick Tomalin
Music composed and arranged by: Nick Tomalin
Directed by: Katalin Trencsényi and Nick Tomalin
Lighting design: Mischa Twitchin
Storyteller: Andra Sparks
"Manages to strike an effective balance between an educational and a fun element...ought to go straight onto the music curriculum." Jazzwise magazine.