Ensemble Projects

July 19, 2022

NYJO’s Ensemble Projects are for young musicians to play jazz standards and newer compositions by ear.

Currently, these take place from 13:30 – 15:30 every Saturday during term-time.

Previous projects have included;

  • the theme of collective improvisation, ranging across the history of jazz
  • A project led by Sam Eastmond, to tie in with the Jazz Orchestra’s recent Masada programme
  • The creation of a long form, collaborative composition that included the use of irregular time signatures and rhythmic cycles

Here more from our current members below!

Since joining in 2018 NYJO has been amazing for my development, I’ve learnt so much and it’s been amazing to get to know lots of new people who share my passion.

 

I feel so so much more comfortable soloing and improvising than I did when I started, and this is largely down to the comfortable space to try and the lessons at NYJO. I am also much better at reading tricky rhythms and playing loud from the different music we read and the confidence I’ve gained.

 

My language of jazz lines has improved because I hear it around me being used.

Changes are being made to our Saturday Learning programmes across Summer 2022. Check back here for more exciting updates as September approaches!

If you are interested in taking part in our Ensemble Projects, please get in touch today by emailing projects@nyjo.org.uk.

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Quote 1 (Jazzwise)

"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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Quote 2 (Lucy-Anne)

“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 Singer

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Quote 3 (Academy)

"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 Student

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Quote 4 (Emma)

"The JX programme has been hugely helpful to me so far, consistently pushing me to explore new areas of composition, playing and collaborating with others, in many different formats."

Emma Rawicz, NYJO Musician

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Quote 5 (Sam)

"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 (Animate project)

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