National Youth Jazz Orchestra To Release Album For 50th Anniversary
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
To commemorate their 50th anniversary this year, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra are to release NYJO FIFTY on 13 November via Whirlwind Recordings.
The 2CD album is a collection of repertoire that features a number of special guests including Mark Nightingale (trombone), Gareth Lockrane (flute) and Zoe Rahman (piano)
NYJO was founded in 1965 by Bill Ashton OBE as a reaction to jazz music’s lack of availability in the British education system. It has since proved to be a keystone arts institution for the UK and has a decorated list of alumni that includes Amy Winehouse, Gerard Presencer, Pete Long and Julian Argüelles.
Coinciding with the release of NYJO 50, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra will host an afternoon jam session and concert as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival on 15 November at Rich Mix. Admission to the event is £5 but is free for young musicians who are casually invited to bring their instruments along to an hour long jam, prior to performances from three of the academy ensembles led by Phil Meadows, Gemma Buckenham and Sebastiaan De Krom.This will be followed by a concert from the main band at 8.30pm, directed by NYJO Artistic Director Mark Armstrong.
– Jake Williams