NYJO Presents: Blue Note

April 13, 2025
12:00 pm

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of jazz as NYJO pays tribute to the iconic Blue Note Records.

Under the leadership of NYJO Resident MD Olivia Murphy, an award-winning composer, conductor, and rising star of the British jazz scene, NYJO’s 18-piece ensemble will perform new arrangements of Blue Note classics by four NYJO Emerging Professsional musicians: Sam Virdie, Sophie Warner, Flo Redmonds and Toril Azzalini-Machecler, developed under Olivia’s mentorship.

Blue Note’s iconic catalogue provides the perfect foundation for career development. Its rich legacy of innovation and collaboration mirrors the core skills that NYJO aim to nurture: cohesive ensemble work, creative reinterpretation and technical mastery. By exploring and reimagining this classic repertoire with Olivia Murphy, NYJO musicians gain invaluable experience in contemporary arranging and performing, equipping them with the tools to captivate modern audiences while honouring jazz traditions.

This concert is not just a performance but the culmination of efforts to invite and ignite a love for jazz in aspiring artists and audiences alike.

Event details

Event date:
April 13, 2025

Event time:
12:00 pm

PizzaExpress Jazz Club

10 Dean Street
London W1D 3RW

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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