Jazz breaking news: NYJO big band audition opportunity
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), which was formed in 1965 by saxophonist/composer Bill Ashton, is holding auditions for new members to join in 2013.
The big band is recruiting musicians under the age of 25 with experience of big band playing, who will work under the leadership of New Music and Artistic Director, Mark Armstrong.
The ensemble has had a high profile year in 2012, performing at the BBC Proms and the London Jazz Festival as well as releasing a new album, The Change (on 24 September), which featured multi-reedist Tim Garland and drummer Mark Mondesir. The band is also in the process of moving to new rehearsal premises at the London Centre of Contemporary Music. Members of NYJO also collaborate with many leading UK jazz musicians through workshops and concerts and perform in venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London, while previous members of NYJO include singer Amy Winehouse, trumpeter Guy Barker, saxophonist Nigel Hitchcock and trombonist Mark Nightingale.
Auditions will be held at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (5 Jan 2013) and the London Centre of Contemporary Music, London (12 Jan 2013), which is the new rehearsal venue for the band as of 17 November. The closing date for applications is 5.30pm on 7 Dec 2012.
To apply go to: www.nyjo.org.uk/join-nyjo
– Esther Hayden