Our latest news
Reimagining Sun Ra, A Project Journey…
As the final notes of our Sun Ra project echo through the cosmos, it’s time to reflect on an extraordinary creative journey which spanned community outreach, learning, and performance... Read more
Looking back at SoundSkool 2024
Reflecting on our third year collaborating with SoundSkool, a full-time, fully-funded music industry college for 16-19 year olds in East London. Read more
Under 18s EP: When You Least Expect It
Discover NYJO's latest EP, featuring music created by Under 18s at our May 2024 Holiday Project. Read more
Widening Access in North Lincolnshire
Find out more about our music education project involving four schools in North Lincolnshire during 2024. Read more
Widening Access in Luton
Read all about our Widening Access pilot project in Luton earlier this year. Inspiring the next generation of musicians at Challney High School for Boys. Read more
First Time Jazz Lancashire 2024
Read about our First Time Jazz schools' tour in Lancashire in July - a key part of NYJO's mission to introduce young people to the world of jazz in a fun and accessible way. Read more
EFG London Jazz Festival 2024: Performance, Learning, Outreach
Discover the story of NYJO, as told through one week of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Read more
Dancing about… Vortex Jazz Club | Kenyah Johnson
Read the third in NYJO's Programmes Coordinator Kenyah Johnson's series, featuring interviews with musicians about their original shows. Read more
Talking Points #1: On Sun Ra, Skills and Celestial Jazz
Listen here to the debut episode of NYJO's new five-part podcast series, Talking Points. Read more
Introducing our brand new Resident MDs…
Read all about the four new Resident Music Directors joining the NYJO team. Read more
NYJO Learning: Sound Foundations
Read about the first year of our first-access project with two local secondary schools. giving young people an instrument and lessons. Read more
Dancing about… Maritime Museum | Kenyah Johnson
Read the second in NYJO's Programmes Coordinator Kenyah Johnson's series, featuring interviews with musicians about their original shows. Read more
Celebrating the ‘Words in Space’ Project in Margate
Find out more about this summer's partnership project in Margate, inspired by themes of space & identity. Read more
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
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
NYJO in Lancashire: First Time Jazz 2024
Read about our upcoming tour of secondary schools in Lancashire, led by singer/songwriter Wolfie. Read more
NYJO Learning: King’s Cross schools tour
In July, the first stage of our summer 2024 project in King's Cross gets started with a tour of local schools. Read more
Your Voice Matters: NYJO at The Talking Shop | Beth Ismay
Read our Learning Programme Manager's thoughts on jazz and political engagement in our new Welsh partnerships. Read more
NYJO Summer
It's shaping up to be a busy and exciting Summer for the NYJO team! Read all about the four main projects we'll be delivering in the coming months. Read more
NYJO Learning: Levitation Orchestra half-term project
This May half-term, NYJO is teaming up with Levitation Orchestra for an immersive 3-day project at Woolwich Works, exploring performance and composition. Read more
Susie York Skinner leaves NYJO as Chief Executive
We are sad to announce that NYJO's Chief Executive, Susie York Skinner will be leaving the organisation later this year. Read about her time with NYJO and her new role. Read more
My NYJO Story | Anna Baalbaki
Anna joined NYJO's Under 18s programme in 2021. We have invited her to write about her experience with the group, what jazz means to her, and her plans for the future. Read all about it here! Read more
NYJO Learning: half-term project with Steam Down
Read all about our brilliant project with Steam Down in February this year, and listen to the amazing original works created by the young musicians during the 3-day workshop. Read more
Community Choir: One year on
The Sherard Road Songbirds, our community choir ran in partnership with Age UK Greenwich is a place where adults can connect through music. Read all about the project here. Read more
NYJO Learning: Sound Foundations
We are running a first-access project in partnership with Harris Academy Greenwich and the Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls to give young people an instrument and lessons! Read more
NYJO in Wales: Music for Social Engagement
The NYJO Learning team is collaborating with three new partners in Wales, looking at how music can be used for social engagement. Read more
NYJO in Leicester: Second Line
Read all about how our New Orleans-style parade project fared at its first outing in Leicester. Read more
NYJO Learning: We Out Here 2023
Read all about our tuba workshops in memory of the great Pharaoh Sanders at We Out Here last year and what made them so special. Read more
NYJO Learning: Steam Down half-term project
This February half-term, NYJO is delighted to be teaming up with Steam Down for a very exciting 3-day project happening at Woolwich Works! Read more
Nikki Yeoh & NYJO Present: Speechmik X-Ploration
NYJO joins UK Jazz pianist Nikki Yeoh on stage for a special programme where new and reimagined work redefine the boundaries of big band music. See all tour dates here. Read more
NYJO Wintery Picks 2023
We asked NYJO staff, board, and musicians for their favourite seasonal music In what is now a long-standing tradition, we have created a playlist with the favourite seasonal music of the extended NYJO ... Read more
NYJO Learning: First Time Jazz
Read all about our first-access Learning project, touring secondary schools in North Lincolnshire and Thurrock. Read more
Andy Grappy joins the NYJO Board
Tuba player and inspirational jazz educator Andy Grappy has joined the NYJO Board. Read more about Andy's experience and what he brings to NYJO. Read more
Black Women in Jazz: Samara Joy
Read the second of our blog series celebrating Black Women in Jazz, for this year's Black History Month. Words by guest contributor Yewande Adeniran. Read more
Black Women in Jazz: Nina Simone
Read the first of our blog series celebrating Black Women in Jazz, for this year's Black History Month. Words by guest contributor Yewande Adeniran. Read more
NYJO in Lancashire: Jazz Futures
Read about our Jazz Futures project, developed in partnership with Lancashire Music Service, to inspire young people in the county to start their musical journey. Read more
NYJO in Cardiff: Creative Improvisation
Read all about NYJO's Creative Improvisation project in Cardiff, delivered in partnership with the Cardiff & Vale Music Service as part of our Widening Access programme. Read more
Vocal Workshops (June half-term)
Read about our vocal workshops in June, led by Scarlet Halton and Ranjana Ghatak at our home in Woolwich Works. Read more
A NYJO July | Liam Gesoff
New team member Liam Gesoff follows NYJO around the country to find out what we’re all about. Read his thoughts and reflections as he gets to know our work. Read more
Making Music w/ NYJO & Greenwich Carers
Join our music making workshops and release your inner-creativity! These sessions are open to all, but anyone with caring responsibilities living locally is especially encouraged to register. Read more
NYJO in Durham: Creative Composition
Read all about NYJO’s creative composition project, delivered in partnership with Durham Music Service and led by Olivia Murphy, aimed at young musicians from Durham to Darlington. Read more
NYJO in Cumbria: Jazz Residential
Watch what happened when NYJO partnered with Cumbria Music Hub to host a Jazz weekend residential combining music-making and outdoors activity to overcome rural isolation. Read more
June Half Term Vocal Workshops
This June, NYJO are running two days of vocal workshops on jazz improvisation and Indian Vocal technique, for young people of all levels of experience aged 12-18. Read more
NYJO’s (unofficial) Learning Manifesto
For International Jazz day, we sat down with Winston, Jennie, and Nancy to talk about their experience in the NYJO Under 18s programme. Read more
NYJO in Lancashire: Widening Access
In 2022-23, NYJO is delighted to be partnering with Lancashire Music Hub on their Jazz Futures project, led by young people and for young people! Read more
NYJO in East Kent: Widening Access
NYJO is partnering with Deal Music & Arts to provide new opportunities for young jazz musicians in East Kent. Read more
NYJO in Hull: Creative Composition
In 2022, we were delighted to partner with Hull Music Service on a new creative composition project. Read more
Sherard Road Songbirds
In January 2023, we announced a new partnership with Age UK Greenwich on a community singing group. Read more
NYJO Learning Holiday Projects
In 2021-22, NYJO ran three holiday projects with featured educators including Jas Kayser, Blue Lab Beats, Byron Wallen, and FLOetic Lara. Read more
Nigel Tully MBE retires as NYJO Chair
We are sad to announce the retirement of Nigel Tully MBE as Chair of Trustees. Read more
NYJO in Cumbria: Easter Jazz Weekend
NYJO is partnering with Cumbria Music Service for a jazz weekend residential led by NYJO alumna Olivia Murphy. Read more
February Half Term Vocal Workshops
Join us for three days of vocal workshops across February Half Term! Read more
She Said: Buy, Stream, Download
You can now order your CD or download our latest album, She Said. Read more
NYJO Christmas Picks 2022
As has become tradition in the NYJO family, we created a playlist with our favourite Christmas music, chosen by NYJO staff and musicians. Read more
NYJO in Durham: Creative Composition
NYJO Learning is partnering with Durham Music Service for a creative music writing project led by NYJO alumna Olivia Murphy. Read more
Trustees’ Week: meet NYJO’s new Trustees
This Trustees’ week, we would like to introduce you to the NYJO Board most recent additions. Find out why Trustees are so important, in their own words. Read more
NYJO Arts Council NPO Announcement
Arts Council England has announced the 990 arts organisations that will make up their National Portfolio for 2023-26, and NYJO is one of them. Read more
Black History Month: Monk & Charles
This Black History Month, we celebrate the crucial legacy of two of the most important musicians of the 20th century: Thelonious Monk and Ray Charles. Read more
Tommy Blaize & NYJO Present: Ray Charles
A 19-piece NYJO band is joined on-stage by national treasure Tommy Blaize to perform the unforgettable songs of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, Ray Charles. Read more
NYJO x The Bloom Collective
Join NYJO and The Bloom Collective for discussion and music-making, celebrating young women in jazz! Read more
We’re Hiring! NYJO Creative Producer
NYJO is looking to recruit an ambitious and dynamic Creative Producer. Find out more and apply now! Read more
She Said – out soon!
NYJO's latest studio album is on its way! She Said celebrates women's contribution to jazz - past, present, and future. Read more
Monk at Town Hall: the Story
What was it that made The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall the stuff of jazz lore? We delve into the story behind the legendary recording. Read more
Meeting Points | Beth Ismay
Learning Programmes Manager, Beth Ismay, talks about our work to bring young people together through learning and development opportunities. Read more
NYJO Learning: Summer Lab 2022
This Summer, NYJO Learning is teaming up with Blue Lab Beats for a very special Summer Lab focused on Jazz & Electronics. Read more
NYJX @ We Out Here
The NYJX joins the legendary Pharoah Sanders, Kokoroko, and The Comet is Coming at the 2022 edition of the We Out Here Festival. Read more
Amy Winehouse: A Final Celebration
NYJO's Amy Winehouse celebratory tour reaches its end with a final performance in Birmingham on 30 July. Young creative leads Olivia Murphy and Lucy-Anne Daniels talk about the project. Read more
Basie & Beyond!
Blistering solos at break-neck speeds, join Artistic Director, Mark Armstrong, as he leads a NYJO 18-piece through bespoke arrangements of classic American Songbook melodies. Read more
Monk at Town Hall
The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall is Monk’s seminal large ensemble recording, released in 1959. Under the direction of Tony Kofi, NYJO celebrates this ground-breaking work. Read more
A Case for Collective Creativity | Paul Lewis
NYJO's Creative Producer, Paul Lewis, talks of the importance of developing a national jazz community to nurture and support the next generation of UK jazz musicians. Read more
NYJO Learning @ We Out Here
In Summer 2022, we were absolutely delighted to receive a donation of tubas and euphoniums from Trevor James which featured in our work at We Out Here Festival that year. Read more
Our Saturday Story
On Saturdays at NYJO Learning, we run a programme of weekly ensembles designed to support young people under the age of 18 to progress musically and make new friends. Read more
Working in Partnership
Partner working is at the heart of much of NYJO Learning’s activities. Read more about how we are currently working in partnership with SoundSkool and Cardboard Citizens. Read more
Cardiff & Rhondda Songwriting Project
In Spring 2022, we were delighted to work with Cardiff and Vale Music Services and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on a songwriting project. Read more
NYJO Jazz Messengers 2022
In July 2022, NYJO Learning embarked on a Greenwich Jazz Messengers Schools’ Tour aimed at inspiring young people to take up an instrument and get involved in extra-curricular music-making. Read more
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