NYJO Players debut with Jay Craig and His Orchestra

Guitarist Jon Russell and trumpeter Alex Maynard – two current NYJO band members – recently made their playing debuts with Jay Craig and His Orchestra.

The special St Valentine’s Day concert at that Mecca of Big Band Jazz – Jazz @ The Manor in Ruislip – attracted a 100-plus capacity audience. Among them were arranger John Williams, pianist/arranger Don Innes, trumpeter Stan Reynolds and arranger Colin Campbell.

According to BBC Big Band baritone maestro Jay Craig both Jon and Alex acquitted themselves really well, playing a particularly varied and difficult concert ‘pad’.

Amongst other current or ex-NYJO players in the orchestra for this concert were trombonists Robbie Harvey and Mike Feltham, saxophonists Josephine Davies and Claire McInerney and trumpeters Rob Greenwood and Jean-Paul Gervasoni – clear proof that when top bandleaders want the best, they first look to NYJO.