We are embracing newness this Autumn, with our First Time Jazz Schools tour back on the road in Leicestershire and our NYJO Blueprint Orchestra’s first public showcase in Windsor! And in preparation for ‘NYJO Super Saturday’ – three gigs in one day on Saturday 19th September – our Under 18s have been busy learning new material and rehearsing at Woolwich Works.
NYJO’s Big Band Summer School
NYJO’s Learning Programme’s Lead, Beth Ismay, said:
Across this week, we have over 50 young people aged 11-18 joining us to learn music spanning across a huge range, from Ezra Collective and John Zorn to Carole King! We’re building up to a huge Takeover Day in Sloane Square as part of Chelsea Arts Festival in September, and we can’t wait to see people’s reactions to the incredible talent that will be on display.
NYJO at We Out Here Festival
On Friday 21 August the beloved NYJO tubas made their way to the long awaited We Out Here music festival in Dorset. A favourite of jazz afficionados and newcomers alike, the community feel of the Family Field was the perfect environment for our first-access instrument workshops.
A huge thanks to our NYJO Trustee Andy Grappy for leading these introductory sessions, encouraging a fun and accessible approach to the largest (and lowest) member of the brass family. Didn’t catch us at WOH? You can check out our free tuba workshops at Brassworks this September.
NYJO’s Small Ensembles & Engagement Manager, Kenyah Johnson said:
‘It’s always great seeing the joy the tuba workshops bring to a festival like We Out Here. No matter what age or ability, people really get stuck in. I got to witness my first ever Tuba bath during this years festival and felt it added a lovely touch to the end of one of the sessions.
Andy’s approach to introducing the tuba and making sure everyone gets something out of the sessions is great and the EPs who accompanied him really added to the energy of the day! Someone said the session had inspired them to start getting instrument lessons again and that just feels like a true testament to how important these workshops are...”
Find Out What’s Going On Near You…
NYJO Performances and Tuba Workshops at Brass Works
Sat 5 Sep, 12pm
Woolwich Works, Greenwich SE18 6HD
Catch our Emerging Professionals tribute to Miles Davis; dance along to our brilliant New Orleans style Second Line performance AND join in with our tuba workshops. Andy Grappy will be on hand to introduce the public to the magic of the instrument, teaching total beginners how to play and make music together.
More details here
First Time Jazz Schools Tour
Tue 8–Fri 11 Sep, Various Schools, Leicestershire
A team of five NYJO Emerging Professional musicians led by trumpeter Olivia Cuttill will be delivering a series of gigs and workshops in eight schools across Leicestershire, inspired by the music of Charles Mingus.
More details here
NYJO Youth Takeover Day
Sat 19 Sep, 11am
Chelsea Arts Festival
Watch the Under 18 showcases from all of our August workshops: Big Band, Second Line and through to choral Carole King music.
More details here
NYJO Blueprint Orchestra at Windsor Festival
Sat 19 Sep, 8pm
Parish Church, Windsor
A debut for NYJO’s newest super-group, with a performance that features music from Akiyoshi and Ellington. A showcase of the power, innovation and lasting appeal of large-ensemble jazz.
More details here
Timeless Icons: The Music of Miles Davis and Nina Simone
Sat 19 Sep, 7.30pm
Cadogan Hall (part of Chelsea Arts Festival)
A NYJO double-bill features tributes to the great Nina Simone and Miles Davis. Featuring a big band reprise of Fodder On My Wings from NYJO’s 60th year celebration, led by NYJO’s own Olivia Cuttill, and the nine-piece ode to Davis’ Birth of the Cool led by NYJO’s Tom Stringer.
More details here.
Autumn Term Begins for NYJO Under 18s
Sat 26 Sep, 10.30am onwards
Woolwich Works
Our regular Saturday Programme of top quality jazz education continues for our various ensembles, all led by Resident NYJO Musical Directors. This term, our groups are gearing up to a very special gig for EFG London Jazz Festival.
More details here
