THE fantastic National Youth Jazz Orchestra are heading for the Palace Theatre for what is sure to be a knockout gig.
NYJO is a glittering showcase for the UK’s finest young professional jazz musicians, combining a hard-swinging rhythm section and hugely talented soloists. Performing around 40 concerts a year both nationally and internationally, the band has helped launch the careers of many of the country’s most renowned jazz musicians including Guy Barker, Amy Winehouse, Mark Nightingale and Laura Jurd.
Under the baton of Music Director Mark Armstrong, the 23-piece orchestra presents its new programme: ‘Female Jazz Icons’, part of its EQ project; remixing the gender balance in jazz.
Female jazz musicians have long been an important part of the jazz scene, celebrated as singers but in other roles too: though often under-represented.
The concert will include music composed and played by musicians from a colourful variety of styles and periods, from Bessie Smith, trumpeter Valaida Snow, composer and pianist Mary-Lou Williams to trombone player and arranger Melba Liston.
Works from contemporary artists like Maria Schneider, pianist and arranger Helen Sung, drummer Teri Lynn Carrington from the USA are joined with music by home-grown musicians like Zoe Rahman, Nikki Iles and Laura Jurd.
No concert would be complete without a celebration of vocal artists like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone plus contemporary classics by Esperanza Spalding and Laura Mvula.
The gig is on Tuesday, February 6 at 7.30pm and tickets are available now in person or at the box office on 01527 65203 priced at £16 and £14 (disc) or buy online at www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk but move fast as this is likely to be a sell-out.
