STOP PRESS
The Isle of Wight Youth Jazz Orchestra have their next public performance at the Quay Arts Centre on Friday 29 March at 7.30pm. The Orchestra is going from strength to strength, and each performance is eagerly anticipated by their growing fan base. Led by Music Director Jez Gray, their repertoire is challenging and varied, and many of the individual members of the Orchestra are now making good progress with their musical careers. Tickets can be purchased from the Quay Arts, for £7.50 either by telephone, online or in person.
The Orchestra will also be appearing at the Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend on 1 June with the world class trombonist, Mark Nightingale. Tickets for Jazz Weekend gigs are available at the IWCP Shop in Newport and also online (see the website www.iwjazzweekend.co.uk for details).
The aim of IWYJO is to provide a safe, structured, educational and enjoyable environment to enable musicians on the Isle of Wight under the age of 25 to partake in big band jazz.
IWYJO seeks to put creativity at the forefront, with members prepared to be hands-on and fully involved in their approach to performing and improvising, and as they develop confidence and skills, some may hopefully take opportunities to arrange and compose for the band and conduct rehearsals.
The other primary objective is to explore the widest possible range of repertoire which is out there, from discovering historical gems and learning in depth about the development of the many forms of jazz through the ages, to exploring exciting contemporary directions, world music and fusion influences. At the heart of all this, we'll be forging a new path and creating a sound and a voice of our own. We also want that to be flexible enough to evolve and change over time as the membership grows, moves on and is replaced by each generation of players.
The short term aims are to perform at the Newport Jazz Weekend in June 2018 and perform two or three other public gigs during that calendar year. The long term aims include the formation of a Senior band (age 18+) and a Junior band (up to age of 18).
The Isle of Wight Youth Jazz Orchestra is greatly indebted to the Ronnie Scotts Charitable Foundation who very kindly provided grant funding in early 2018 to enable the project to develop by enabling professional tuition, arrangements and equipment to be purchased in the first year whilst IWYJO aims to become self sufficient in future years.
Contact:
For the time being, all enquiries should be directed to
IWYJO Officers
Director : Jim Thorn
Music Director : Jez Gray
Treasurer : Jacquie Tarry