NottsNYJO

National Competition for Young Jazz Composers

Here's an opportunity and challenge for some NYJO players...

"Watermill Jazz...are delighted to be partnering with the National Youth Jazz Collective to present: Watermill Jazz Young Composers Award 2012.  The award consists of 2 cash prizes for wholly original jazz compositions written for Jazz Octet (trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, piano, bass and drums). 1^st Prize £500      2^nd Prize £250

Applicants must be 18 years of age or under on the 30^th September 2012.

The judging panel will consist of the National Youth Jazz Collective’s Founder and Artistic Director, Issie Barratt, pianist and composer Nikki Iles and Watermill Jazz Chairman Roger Hind.

Finalists’ entries will be performed on 13^th September 2012 at Watermill Jazz by members of the National Youth Jazz Collective, led by Issie Barratt and Nikki Iles. The winners will be interviewed about their compositions and the evening will conclude with a second performance of the winning entries and presentation of the prizes.

The closing date for entries is 13^th July 2012. Details are available from the Watermill Jazz website www.watermilljazz.co.uk or by emailing youngcomposers@watermilljazz.co.uk."

Watermill Jazz are pleased to acknowledge the support of the Performing Rights Society Foundation and Jazz Services.  

Source: http://www.mec.org.uk/news/2012/5/15/watermill-jazz-young-composers-award-201...

Posted by Carl Billson 

International Jazz Day - 30 April 2012

Explaining the creation of International Jazz Day, Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General said,

“Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, and it remains so today. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures. The same goals guide UNESCO in its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies. We work with governments and societies and also with artists, including Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Making the most of cultural diversity is a task we all share.”

“Jazz has defied almost every attempt at definition. The music critic John Fordham may have captured it best when he described the music of Miles Davis as “the sound of the skipped heart-beat, the caught breath, the sudden smile.”

“Jazz is music of boundless creativity. Mixing composition and improvisation, the formal and informal, it renews itself every time it is played. Born in the United States, jazz is owned by the world. Rooted in African traditions and drawing on European musical forms, it has taken on new shapes in cultures across the globe.  Jazz makes the most of the world’s diversity, effortlessly crossing borders and bringing people together. ... Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “jazz speaks for life.” This is the spirit of the first International Jazz Day.”

•  Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;
•  Jazz is a vector of freedom of expression;
•  Jazz is a symbol of unity and peace;
•  Jazz reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;
• Jazz fosters gender equality;
• Jazz reinforces the role youth play for social change;
• Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones;
• Jazz stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.

A galaxy of international stars performed in a live inaugural concert - see below and at You Tube under ‘LIVE concert: "International Jazz Day", 30 April 2012’.  It's over two and a quarter hours so you might want to dip in and out!

What will NYJO do for International Jazz Day 2013?

Posted by Carl Billson 

NYJO gives a jazzy kick-start to the Mansfield Arts Festival - Sun 8 July afternoon

NYJO’s lively brand of jazz will help kick-start an exciting week of events in the new Mansfield Arts Festival running from 7 - 15 July.  NYJO1 Big Band and NYJO Combo (8-piece) will be on stage in the magnificent Theatre that is part of the new Mansfield Library - a superb performance venue! 

Tickets can be booked/reserved via the Mansfield Library - 01623 651337.  The full Arts Festival Programme is available to download here. 

So, prepare to Listen-Up - NYJO1 are on-stage from 1:00 pm on Sunday 8 July!

Come along - and bring your friends! 

[PS Parking on Sunday is FREE at the Four Seasons but it closes at 5:00pm which is well after the finish of this NYJO1 gig.  Maps to be provided to NYJO members nearer the date.]

Click here to download:

Mansfield_Arts_Festival_Programme_2012.pdf (217 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Mansfield_Arts_Festival_Programme_2012.pdf (217 KB)

Posted by Carl Billson 

Bring Your NYJO Polo / Hoodie to Next Rehearsal

This is Important!

Please bring your NYJO wear (a Polo shirt and a Hoodie if you have one) to the next NYJO rehearsal on Tuesday. 

Make sure garments are clean and have your name in indellible ink on a label or has a name tag sewn in.  This is so that we can return your NYJO gear to you as after having the logo of one of our main sponsors 'Clement Pianos'  added.

As NYJO playes will know from rehearsals there are a number of gigs coming up and we are keen to have the 'Clement Pianos' logo in evidence.  We are delighted to announce that, in the near future, we will obtain additional NYJO Polos/Hoodies thanks to further generous sponsorship from Clement Pianos.

However, first we need to get the current stock of NYJO gear updated - so PLEASE remember to bring your Polo/Hoodie to the next rehearsal and we will tick you off the list and ensure you get it returned to you!

Posted by Carl Billson 

An Eastern Take on Take Five

Indian music has a great tradition for improvisation.   There has been some interesting crossover with jazz too.  Thanks to one of NYJO’s parents for a YouTube link to a great ‘crossover’ version of Take Five.

Further, on 17 June there is a concert at The Curve in Leicester that is part of the Indian Vibes series called Play out For Indian Summer.  It features Jesse Bannister on sax (www.jessebannister.co.uk) with  pianist Zoe Rahman and the powerfully original drummer Seb Rochford.  Concert details here.

You Tube has lots of pieces of crossover jazz including pieces such as this from the Indo Jazz Suite co-led by Joe Harriott (alto saxophone)and John Mayer (violin, harpsichord).

Posted by Carl Billson 

International Jazz Day 30 April 2012

Get ready to celebrate - and tell others ... 30th April is International Jazz Day!

BBC Radio Scotland’s excellent jazz programme called ‘The Jazz House’ recently had a feature about the first International Jazz Day on 30 April 2012.  UNESCO is the sponsoring organisation:

Click to link to UNESCO website about the International Jazz Day

Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “jazz speaks for life.” Music critic John Fordham described the music of Miles Davis as “the sound of the skipped heart-beat, the caught breath, the sudden smile.”

“Jazz is music of boundless creativity. Mixing composition and improvisation, the formal and informal, it renews itself every time it is played. Born in the United States, jazz is owned by the world.  Rooted in African traditions and drawing on European musical forms, it has taken on new shapes in cultures across the globe.

Jazz makes the most of the world’s diversity, effortlessly crossing borders and bringing people together. Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, and it remains so today. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures. The same goals guide UNESCO in its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies.”  [Source: Message from Ms Irina Bokova,Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the International Jazz Day 30 April 2012]

Why International Jazz Day?  This is what UNESCO says:

·         Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;

·         Jazz is a vector of freedom of expression;

·         Jazz is a symbol of unity and peace;

·         Jazz reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;

·         Jazz fosters gender equality;

·         Jazz reinforces the role youth play for social change;

·         Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones;

·         Jazz stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.

Phew!  Aren’t you glad that you play and enjoy jazz, a music to change the world?!

Posted by Carl Billson 

Great NYJO Bag Pack raises funds for Edinburgh Fringe Tour August 2012

Posted by Carl Billson 

Radio Nottingham 9th April 6:00pm.

Posted by Carl Billson 

NYJO2 Play RCH

Here's what it says on You Tube:

"Notts NYJO2, aka the Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra Development Band, perform an arrangement of the tune ‘Clocks’ in the foyer at the Royal Concert Hall on 3 March 2012.  Ben Lee is the Conductor.  This entertainment was part of a concert night in the London Olympics 2012 Cultural Olympiad.  In addition to NYJO2, the NYJO Big Band performed in main concert hall with the Nottingham Youth Orchestra - so all NYJO players were performing at this special event!  NYJO welcomes youth players from Nottinghamshire who are interested in performing jazz and from sponsors who may wish to support NYJO.  More details at www.nottsnyjo.co.uk
Please excuse the shaky video - especially early on!"

Well played!

Posted by Carl Billson 

Happy Easter!

Good wishes for a Happy Easter!  Enjoy this video posted on You Tube.  The notes to it say,

Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) perform the tune 'Gonna Fly Now' with the Nottingham Youth Orchestra (NYO) at the Royal Concert Hall on 3 March 2012.  Musical Director Phil Smith is the Conductor.  This concert was part of the London Olympics 2012 Cultural Olympiad.  The NYJO2 Big Band performed in the foyer during the intervals - so all NYJO players were performing at this special event!  NYJO welcomes youth players from Nottinghamshire who interested in performing jazz and from sponsors who may wish to support NYJO and/or engage them to play at functions.  More details at www.nottsnyjo.co.uk

NYJO rehearsals start again Tuesday 17 April.

Posted by Carl Billson