COVENTRY Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers writes for the Observer.
THE award-winning The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra big band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and will again be returning to Henley in Arden to perform.
The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, one of the world’s top youth jazz groups, will present a variety of big band music as part of its ‘A Fanfare to Christmas’ concert.
The concert takes place at 7:45pm on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Memorial Hall in Henley-in-Arden.
Celebrating over 50 years since its inception, the long-established orchestra supports young people in developing their musical talents, under the direction of award-winning trumpeter and conductor John Ruddick MBE.
The group has a broad repertoire of music and was unbeaten in 20 years in the BBC National Big Band Competition.
MYJO has played across the world from Canada to Germany and from Russia to America with venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Disneyworld Florida, Symphony Hall, and the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
The orchestra has also featured on radio and television, performing alongside the BBC Big Band and as part of the 400-year celebration of Shakespeare’s birth, performing with members of The Royal Ballet on BBC 2.
After playing with the orchestra, is tenor saxophonist Xsosa Colewon BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2018 and performed as part of the BBC Proms.
He now tours internationally and in 2020 released his debut album to critical acclaim.
Alex Cardall a drummer and vocalist with the band when he was 16, currently performs in the UK wide theatre tour of The Osmonds and will be returning to sing with MYJO as part of the Christmas concert.
John Latham, a retired charity consultant who has worked with the band for 12 years, said: “We are delighted to return again to Henley in Arden for the band’s annual Christmas concert.
“We are looking forward to putting on a great show and getting everyone into the festive spirit with some big band music.
Tickets cost £15 and can be bought by contacting John Latham on 07719 618 843 or emailing him on [email protected]
Love + Madness Records launch their first ‘Who’s Blue’ EP tonight (December 8) at The HMV Empire Coventry.
The label was set up to promote emerging artists funded by the Arts Council England, and a team of industry judges have selected the first five artists to appear on the label and at this very special live set.
The artists are Tainted Love – IcyDaRabbit (featuring WR4P),Red (Lipstick) – AKA Abi, Mean It – Jack Blackman,Tokyo – Ruth Kelly, Forever the Spill – Dean MacDonald Glowing in the Sunrise – Pandora.
The gig also features The Sekine String Quartet, The Boy Who Invented Everything and Pandora.
Admission £10, doors at 7pm.
Cov’s most famous band The Specials are currently at number one on the national vinyl single charts with their Record Store Day release ‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning, Work in Progress version’.
Can’t keep a legendary band down.
