NYJO’s on the Wireless on Boxing Day…
December 22, 2011 by Steve
BBC Radio4’s Today programme is not normally renowned for its innovative jazz content – but that is all about to change on Boxing Day!
That’s because Lord (Sebastian) Coe – well-known as a former athlete, now the head of the 2012 London Olympics and a NYJO Vice-President – has been invited to guest-edit the 26th December edition of Today.
And, as a self-confessed jazz enthusiast, Lord Coe apparently insisted that his favourite music – played by some of his favourite band – be featured in his programme.
As a result, a NYJO Quintet – with Mark Armstrong (tpt) leading Jim Gold (alt), Chris Eldred (keys), Conor Chaplin (bs) and Scott Chapman (drs), playing Mark’s specially arranged version of Sleigh Ride, live, on air – will have the honour of providing Today with an unprecedented musical sign-off, starting at about 8.55am.
Just prior to this coda, Lord Coe will almost certainly be mentioning NYJO’s New Year gig at Ronnie Scott’s and, depending on the time available, may well be able to talk some more about the band and its long-time influence on the development of British jazz talent.
So be sure to tune in to on Boxing Day hear the NYJO Quintet making a little bit of Radio4 history – and if you can’t rouse yourself that early, catch this unique occasion later, with the BBC’s ‘Listen Again’ feature…
Might be missing something, but is Mark Armstrong still under 25? Seems odd that he’s one of 5 people selected to play in a NYJO quintet when there are so many people in NYJO and of NYJO age who are more than capable themselves.
Hi Robbie,
Mark is a year or three older than 25 and is no longer a NYJO member. He is our new Musical Director having been handed the baton by Bill Ashton.
Though it may be easy to mistake Mark for being a young turk, he is actually a little older than 25. However, if you wondering why it was that he was blowing his horn amongst a small group of NYJO cats on Boxing Day, it is because Mark is NYJO’s Music Director, having neing handed the reins by Bill recently.