Juvenile Jazz Bands grew out of early 20th-century colliery parades, becoming a popular feature of miners’ galas across the North and Midlands. Made up of children in brightly coloured, military-style uniforms, the bands performed choreographed marches to the sound of drums, kazoos, and glockenspiels. Despite the name, the music had little to do with jazz - these groups were about community, teamwork, and pride, offering a space where young people could take part in public celebration and local tradition.

The photographs in this collection highlight the energy, precision, and visual flair that made these bands such a distinctive part of the region’s cultural life.