NYJO | The future of jazz

NYJO exists to empower young jazz musicians and inspire audiences across the UK through engaging participation projects and impactful live performances.

NYJO exists to empower and inspire young people across the UK through jazz.

NYJO has grown from a single jazz orchestra to a vibrant, varied organisation delivering engaging participation projects and impactful live performances for everyone.

We are committed to supporting and developing musicians of all styles and standards: whether you want to become the next emerging artist or simply play for fun – we’re here for it.

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What’s on

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NYJO Under 18s Programme

Event date - January 10, 2026

Locationvenue - Woolwich Works

The 2026 Spring Term of our NYJO Under 18s Programme. Read more

Levitation Orchestra x NYJO at Acoustickle, Nottingham

Event date - January 30, 2026

Locationvenue - Acoustickle, Nottingham

NYJO teams up with Levitation Orchestra in Nottingham for a live performance, workshop and jam session. Read more

Manchester 2026 Sessions

Event date - January 31, 2026

Locationvenue - Band on the Wall, Manchester

Take part in our Manchester 2026 sessions for young people aged 13-18 hosted at Band on the Wall! Read more

Birmingham 2026 Sessions

Event date - January 31, 2026

Locationvenue - Band on the Wall, Manchester

Find out more about our workshops in Birmingham across January - March 2026, delivered in partnership with B:Music. Read more

Levitation Orchestra x NYJO at Voodoo Daddy’s, Norwich

Event date - February 12, 2026

Locationvenue - Voodoo Daddy's, Norwich

Our first collaboration with Wild Paths brings this high-energy show to Norwich! Read more

Jasmine Myra x NYJO

Event date - February 14, 2026

Locationvenue - Arts Club, Cambridge

Calling all Cambridge Jazz lovers: join us for an evening featuring the soaring, genre-blending sound of saxophonist Jasmine Myra! Read more

NYJO Learning

NYJO Learning nurtures young musicians through high quality workshops, courses and performance opportunities. We value access, inclusivity and progress at all levels and believe in harnessing the power of musical participation as a tool for personal growth.

News

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NYJO Learning: Birmingham 2026 Workshops

Find out more about our workshops in Birmingham across January - March 2026, delivered in partnership with B:Music. Read more

Introducing our new Development Director, Michael Volpe OBE

NYJO welcomes new Development Director Michael Volpe to the team. Read more

NYJO Performance Highlights 2025

2025 has been another big year for NYJO Emerging Professionals! Read all about our highlights here. Read more

Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.”

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

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Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ”

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

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Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

“Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process.”

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

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Jazzwise quote

“NYJO has never been conformist, never hewing to one particular line, never known for fawning replications and very deliberately these days a vehicle for new possibilities.”

Jazzwise Magazine

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Lydia (EP quote)

“The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!”

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

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Anna (Learning national quote)

“[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

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Briony (Learning U18s quote)

“I’ve felt very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing musicians, and I think that the environment at NYJO – which has fostered creativity and improvisation – has allowed my confidence and musical ideas to grow.”

Briony, NYJO Under 18s

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Oscar (Learning U18s quote)

“I think I’ve progressed a lot in my piano-playing. NYJO has helped me to flourish and really enjoy it. I’ve really enjoyed being engrossed in a high level of playing and learning things in a hands-on-way. I also like the diversity of perspectives and abilities of all the players and teachers which enables me to try things I might not normally.”

Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

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Jennie (Learning U18s quote)

“NYJO has got me listening to more jazz and learning more changes. It has also helped with working as a band. I’ve really enjoyed the free jazz, learning by ear, the people, and the atmosphere.”

Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

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Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

“I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile. Though I have fun I’m still learning on the way which makes me feel productive too.”