Hackney Music Development Trust

A project for young people in Hackney, combining sports and arts and giving them ownership of the Olympic and Paralympic values being brought to London 2012, to address issues of aggression and under-achievement, inspiring individuals to make positive life changes in their communities. Participants will learn boxing from Super-Middleweight Champion James Cook MBE, leading to competition opportunities and Boxing Awards whilst exploring the heroic sporting battle between The Brown Bomber - American boxer Joe Louis, the first African American to become a national hero in segregated America, and German boxer Max Schmeling. Bringing to life through sport and music the connection between two athletes, once adversaries in sport, whose friendship endured. Transferring their new boxing moves into dance choreography, participants will tell The Brown Bomber story through dance and jazz, working alongside renowned pianist and composer Julian Joseph and top choreographer Sheron Wray, with performances to celebrate the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, in venues including boxing rings, jazz festivals and dance stages.