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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 x Steam Down Big Band

NYJO x Steam Down Big Band

Event date - September 21, 2024

Locationvenue - Woolwich Works

NYJO and Steam Down join forces once again as part of the Brassworks festival of horns. Tell me more

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

Event date - November 15, 2024

Locationvenue - Forum Theatre, Malvern

NYJO celebrates the iconic Blue Note Records at Malvern Theatres in Worcestershire. Tell me more

NYJO x Steam Down Big Band

NYJO x Steam Down Big Band

Event date - September 21, 2024

Locationvenue - Woolwich Works

NYJO and Steam Down join forces once again as part of the Brassworks festival of horns. Read more

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

Event date - November 15, 2024

Locationvenue - Forum Theatre, Malvern

NYJO celebrates the iconic Blue Note Records at Malvern Theatres in Worcestershire. Read more

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

NYJO Presents: Blue Note

Event date - November 16, 2024

Locationvenue - Carshalton Jazz

NYJO celebrates the iconic Blue Note Records at Carshalton Jazz in South London. 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.

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News

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Celebrating the ‘Words in Space’ Project in Margate

Celebrating the ‘Words in Space’ Project in Margate

This summer, we embarked on an extraordinary project in Margate, with the aim of creating a space to help young people to unlock their creativity, inspired by Sun Ra’s ideology and our individual capacity to create and define our own ... Read more

Introducing our new CEO, Yvette Griffith

Introducing our new CEO, Yvette Griffith

Renowned Leader in Jazz Community to Take Helm for a New Era of NYJO Read more

Dancing about… CLF Arts Lounge | Kenyah Johnson

Dancing about… CLF Arts Lounge | Kenyah Johnson

The read the first in a new series by NYJO's Programmes Coordinator Kenyah Johnson, featuring interviews with musicians about their original shows. 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.”

Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s

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Join our passionate community of Friends, grant-making organisations or corporate sponsors at a level that suits you and share your love of jazz with the next generation.

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