NYJO SECTIONS
“NYJO is a well-honed ensemble of Britain’s finest young musicians, masterfully led by Mark Armstrong. Jazz is in good hands with this wonderful organization.” Bob Mintzer
Scroll down to meet our 2018 Chair Holders:
Composer Section
Charlie
Bates
Composer
Charlie is a composer, arranger and pianist based in London, and the first ever holder of NYJO's Composer Chair. Read More...
Flute Section
Maria
Rehakova
Flute
Maria is a Flautist, Singer and Composer based in London. She finished her Bachelor’s Degree in jazz at the Guildhall School of Music, where she studied flute with some of the countries’ top jazz and classical flautists including Gareth Lockrane, Ian Clarke, Stan Sulzmann and more. She also studies 2nd study jazz voice with Tina May. Read More...
Horn Section
Stephen
Payne
Horn
Stephen started playing the horn age 10 and just five years later he successfully auditioned for Junior Guildhall and began studying with David Bentley. Read More...
Reeds Section
Claire
Shaw
Baritone Saxophone
Claire is a recent First Class graduate of the Royal College of Music, graduating in June 2017. During her time at the RCM, she studied saxophone, clarinet and flute with Martin Robertson and Andy Panayi with saxophone as her principal study. Read More...
Sean
Payne
Alto Saxophone
Having played the Saxophone since the age of 8, Sean started learning Jazz music when he was 11 years old and has been playing it ever since. Read More...
Tom
Barford
Tenor Saxophone
Winner of the Kenny Wheeler Prize 2017, Tom was raised in a musical family and grew up surrounded by great music, from Frank Sinatra to Louis Armstrong. Read More...
Tom
Ridout
Tenor Saxophone
Having just finished a degree in jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Tom is a saxophonist, recorder player and composer who can be heard playing regularly in many venues across London Read More...
Tom
Smith
Alto Saxophone
“NYJO is a well-honed ensemble of Britain’s finest young musicians, masterfully led by Mark Armstrong.... Read more... Read More...
Rhythm Section
Alex
Taylor
Percussion
Originally from Northamptonshire, Alex started his musical education on drum kit, but eventually moved on to playing percussion in county orchestras and ensembles. Read More...
Jack
Tustin
Bass
Jack discovered jazz at the relatively late age of 16 – at Nick Weldon’s shoe factory in Rushden (Jazz School UK). Read More...
Joe
Hill
Piano
Joe first began playing piano at the young age of 6, pursuing both jazz and classical to a high standard. Read More...
Luke
Tomlinson
Drums
Luke Tomlinson is a young and budding drummer on the rise in the UK music scene. Read More...
Miles
Mindlin
Guitar
Miles began learning Jazz guitar aged 8 with his father, also a musician. He has since studied at The Purcell School and The Royal Academy. Read More...
Trombone Section
Daniel
Higham
Trombone
Daniel has been playing the trombone since the age of 8 and has been involved in NYJO’s organisation ever since, starting in the Academy Big Band the same year. Read More...
Ed
Parr
Trombone
A recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Ed now works full time as a trombonist based in London. Read More...
Eddie
Curtis
Bass Trombone
Eddie is a Bass Trombonist currently in his third year of study at the Royal College of Music. Read More...
Harrison
Maund
Trombone
Harrison started playing the Trombone at the age of 6 through the Wigan Music Service. At the age of 11 he attended Chetham’s School of Music where he found his love for Jazz. Read More...
Jacob
Cooper
Trombone
Originally from Yorkshire, Jacob began trombone lessons aged 7 and quickly became interested in jazz. Read More...
Trumpet Section
Alexandra
Ridout
Trumpet
Alexandra has been playing the trumpet since she was nine (gaining grade 8 distinction aged 13 and an LTCL diploma aged 16) A year later she also gained a place on the Junior Jazz course at The Royal Academy of Music. Read More...
George
Jefford
Trumpet
George currently studies trumpet with Paul Beniston and jazz piano with Barry Green. Read More...
Harry
Evans
Trumpet
Harry studies trumpet at the Trinity Laban Conservative of Music and Dance, where he is taught by Chris Batchelor. Read More...
Luke
Vice-Coles
Trumpet
Luke is currently an undergraduate at the Royal Academy of Music, where he is studying Jazz Trumpet, and spent 3 years on the Junior Royal Academy of Music Jazz course studying with Gareth Lockrane and Simon Colam. Read More...
Tim
Rabbitt
Trumpet
Tim is from Swindon and currently studying for a Master’s degree in Jazz Trumpet at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has loved playing in big bands since the age of 13 and considers them the height of musical experience and thrill! Read More...
Vocals Section
Freddie
Benedict
Vocals
Freddie’s voice has brought him a wealth of opportunities. He’s recorded ADR for Spectre, The Tunnel and My Mad Fat Diary, acted in The Alltogether with Martin Freeman, played Danny in Grease and Sky in Guys and Dolls. Read More...
Helena
Debono
Vocals
Helena gigs regularly and teaches music/vocals.vShe is involved in many projects including Neo-Soul/Jazz Collective ‘allcaps’ and big band ‘The Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra’. Read More...
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