| About the Ensemble: Southampton Jazz Centre of Excellence
The Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra was formed in January 1998. It is made up of the best young jazz musicians in the Southampton area, and has already become recognised as one of the most successful and creative organisations of its type in the country, appearing at the School Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 2002.
SYJO aims to promote jazz as a living, vibrant art-form to young musicians. Unlike most other youth jazz orchestras, the main bulk of SYJO's music focuses on 'cutting-edge', creative, contemporary British jazz.
SYJO is a project band, working with a series of leading jazz musicians every year. These include the likes of Andy Sheppard, Steve Lodder, Julian Joseph, Guy Barker, Tim Garland and Keith Tippett. More recently the Band featured guest singer Omar for an evening of soul and jazz.
"Southampton Jazz Workshop is a dynamic young group playing large ensemble jazz music. Directed by trumpeter Jo Downs and husband Tim, the Jazz Workshop plays both modern and classic big band charts. Together with its sister group - the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra - the Jazz Workshop forms part of the newly established Southampton Jazz Centre Of Excellence. The band rehearses on Mondays from 5.00-7.00pm at Tauntons College: if you are interested in joining, please contact Southampton Music Services. We're currently on the lookout for trombones!.. Check out our MySpace page for recordings of the band and gig listings: http://www.myspace.com/jazzworkshop
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