NYJO celebrate fifty years

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra are celebrating 50 years with the release of an album, ‘NYJO Fifty’ on November 13. Bill Ashton OBE founded the Orchestra in 1965 to improve the availability of the music in education. Down the years NYJO has produced countless players with their own solo careers, including Dave O’Higgins, Simon Phillips, Julian Argüelles, Gerard Presencer and Amy Winehouse.

‘NYJO Fifty’ features Special guest appearances from trombonist Mark Nightingale, flautist Gareth Lockrane and pianist Zoe Rahman on a 2 CD release through Whirlwind Recordings. 

The Orchestra will also host an afternoon at the EFG London Jazz Festival at Rich Mix in Shoreditch on Sunday November 15 with a jam session and performance and concert later in the evening. The event is free to young musicians who can bring their instruments along and £5 to everyone else.

For more information vist the London Jazz Festival online