Mark Armstrong appointed Artistic and Music Director of NYJO
May 11, 2012 by Steve
The Board of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra is delighted to announce that – after a rigorous selection process – Mark Armstrong (right) has been appointed Artistic & Music Director of NYJO for the next 5 years. This is a tribute to the inspiring leadership which Mark has already shown since becoming NYJO’s MD two [...]
Read more ...NYJO at The Proms
May 11, 2012 by Steve
As dramatic proof that the positive transformation being wrought by NYJO is reaping cultural rewards on the bigger stage, the band has been invited by the BBC to feature in this year’s series of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall – for more details click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2012/august-10/14324 To do justice to this auspicious occasion, [...]
Read more ...Jazz In The Round
May 11, 2012 by Steve
The last Monday evening in every month sees a live jazz/contemporary music event at The Cockpit Theatre (NYJO’s rehearsal venue), hosted by Radio3 jazz presenter Jez Nelson. The bands performing there during the next three months are shown below – they include the Sack O’ Woe Quintet, featuring NYJO’s Lucas Dodd and Mark Crown.
Read more ...Jazz at Café Society
May 8, 2012 by Steve
Three of Europe’s top young jazz vocalists – Gwyneth Herbert, Alexander Stewart and Paris-based China Moses (daughter of jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater) – star in Jazz at Café Society, a swinging new show about the legendary New York nightclub which promoted racial equality and progressive causes. From 1938 to 1947 Café Society played host [...]
Read more ...NYJO @ The Manor – 18th March 2012
March 26, 2012 by Steve
In The Band: Bill Ashton directing David Drake (piano, left): Grant Russell (bass); Rob Luft (guitar); Scott Chapman (drums); Max Mills (percussion); Brindley Heywood-Snell, Ashley Hunt, Toby Street, Adam Chatterton, Tom Dennis (trumpets); Daniel Higham, Josh Tagg, Chris Valentine, Pete Whitehouse, Charlie Osborne (tenor trombones) Callum Au (bass trombone); Anna Drysdale (French horn); saxophones: Phil [...]
Read more ...NYJO Nonet @ The Manor – 19th February 2012
March 26, 2012 by Steve
In The Band: Bill Ashton directing (from left, back) Will Barry (piano); Sandy Sucholdolski (bass/ bass guitar); Scott Chapman (drums); (from left, front) Rob Luft (guitar); saxophones: Chris Whiter (baritone), Nadim Teemori (tenor), Lucas Dodd (alto); Henry Armburg-Jennings (trumpet); Callum Au (trombone); Jessica Dowdeswell was the vocalist. Set 1: Are We Keeping You Up, Sir? (Dick [...]
Read more ...NYJO makes its debut at the Vortex
February 10, 2012 by Steve
Sunday 26th February sees the start of NYJO’s new monthly Sunday afternoon residency at the renowned Vortex Jazz Club in Stoke Newington. Established for over 20 years, the club is a beacon for contemporary jazz in the capital, placing strong emphasis on – and providing welcome support for – young local talent. The Vortex [...]
Read more ...Emma Smith at Pizza Express, Dean Street – 1st February 2012
February 4, 2012 by Steve
What better way to usher in a particularly strong February programme at Pizza Express Dean Street than with a debut album launch? Emma Smith, a 21-year-old singer whose musicality and presence have been creating a buzz within the UK jazz community for a while now, was presenting her first CD The Huntress (Frantic Jazz). Smith [...]
Read more ...Emma Smith – The Huntress…
February 4, 2012 by Steve
NYJO vocalist Emma Smith, whose musicality and presence have been creating a buzz within the UK jazz community for a while now, has recently completed her first solo CD The Huntress (Frantic Jazz). The launch event was held at The Pizza Express in Dean Street on 1st February and was well attended, enthusiastically received, and [...]
Read more ...NYJO vocal alumni combine for new project
February 4, 2012 by Steve
Sarah Ellen Hughes and two of NYJO’s top vocal talents, Emma Smith and Kwabena Adjepong, have joined forces with Shakka Philip to form an ensemble – Sector 7 – to explore new directions in vocal jazz performance. Sector7 takes jazz to a new level, with exciting and daring arrangements merging the gap between genres – [...]
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