Celebrate the Next Generation of Jazz at DLWP
DLWP Fundraiser Dan Scales previews the National Youth Jazz Orchestra from a unique perspective:
It is as exciting for the Pavilion’s staff to hear about upcoming performances as it is for our community. From big names to emerging artists, from music to comedy, we all get the same buzz when an artist we love gets announced.
This week, the news of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) visiting DLWP as part of their forthcoming tour, celebrating the music of Amy Winehouse, piqued my interest for a slightly more unusual reason…
Growing up in Norwich, I played trombone in the Norfolk Student’s Jazz Orchestra – a group of the most talented young jazz musicians from across the county. A highlight of my time in the Jazz Orchestra were visits from NYJO, with whom we held joint workshops, sessions and, of course, watched perform at Norwich’s leading venues.
NYJO has been a hot bed of jazz and big band talent for over 55 years. Alumni include Guy Barker, Laura Jurd, Mark Nightingale, the leader of the Strictly Come Dancing band Dave Arch (plus most of his band), London 2012’s
Many of my peers in the Norfolk Student’s Jazz Orchestra went on to study music to degree level and beyond, gracing stages up and down the UK. Never that talented myself, I took a different path – studying history before moving into Fundraising, eventually returning to the arts and music in my current role at the Pavilion.
DLWP is far more than just a venue. We engage over 6,000 people each year through our learning and participation activities, enabling children, young people, and adults to engage in the arts, developing creative and personal skills in the process.
NYJO is more than just an orchestra. NYJO runs a comprehensive national education programme. This spreads the ‘Jazz message’ to around 20,000 young people annually. I was fortunate enough to benefit from these fantastic workshops years ago, and am delighted that NYJO continues this work to this day.
So, come and celebrate the best young jazz musicians in the UK on Thursday 7 October 2021. Speaking from experience, it’ll be worth it…
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