Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra
19th April 2024 at 7.30pm
Over the years, national recognition has resulted in invitations to perform at many prestigious events throughout the UK and Europe.
In addition to jazz club and concert performances locally, our musicians have enthralled audiences at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Barbican Centre.
The various DYJO line-ups of particular years have performed at Prom concerts on a record 14 occasions at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Review by Jill Martin
Jangling and jiving with dexterity, the Doncaster Jazz Youth Orchestra got the crowd tapping their feet and nodding their heads at the concert held 19th April 2024. No need for an experienced palate; this jazz was readily digested and served with a healthy helping of gusto. Big band classics, popular TV themes and rock instrumentals were played with passion. Solos focused the attention on the artists ranging from keyboards, wind, brass, voice and guitar. Band director Mike insists on giving everyone their time to shine in the spotlight. Adrenaline fuelled musicians rose to the challenge and rewarded the appreciative audience with starry quality.
There is an old saying in show business to never work with children and animals. Mike might have been thinking that when it came to light that the lead Alto pad had been mistakenly left at rehearsals. Quick to think on his feet with some clever programme editing, the ensemble was able to fend without Alto 1 sheet music. Professionalism took centre-stage and the show went on after a helpful team member made a dash to Doncaster to salvage the score.
So…the programme…‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ captured the essence with high-kicking explosions. ‘Johnny’s Mambo’ was a Latin shot of espresso with a fiery piano montuno. Silk smooth vocal numbers like ‘That Man’ contrasted the groove centric *bangers* such as ‘Caravan’ leading to a wonderfully varied programme. The night concluded with an accelerated encore… ‘Jazz Police’, played at a breakneck tempo and featuring a monstrous guitar solo full of virtuosity and brilliantly melodic lines. These guys are going on to great things and Scunthorpe was lucky to have seen them in the flush of youth.
Audience comments:
“Great Sound – Brilliant solos”
“Jazz Band are very enthusiastic and talented – I have enjoyed the concert. My hearing might recover one day! (Lovely programme)”
“Really enjoying the music”
“Wow! What a wonderful performance!!! I am really enjoying the concert of excellent pieces”
“What a joy to listen to”
“There’s a lot of young talent on the stage tonight – Keep supprting the Youth! “
“Brilliant – More please!”
“Excellent …..lovely to see and hear the youth coming through – there might be a soloist amongst them to return int he future??”
Videos from the concert
Programme
I wish I knew how it would feel to be free – Billy Taylor – Duane music Inc. – Arr M.Brown
Black nightgown – Gerry Mulligan – EMI – Arr M.Brown
Caravan – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Juan Tizol – EMI – Arr M.Tomaro
Tuxedo Junction – Erskine Hawkins – MCA – Arr J.Gray
That man – Caro Emerald – Grandmono records/Universal – Arr M.Brown
The James Bond theme – Monty Norman/John Barry – Eon – Arr M.Brown
The Children of Sanchez – Chuck Mangione – Gates Music – Arr K.Foley
Cute – Neal Hefti – Neal Hefti Music – Arr N.Hefti
Blue Trane – John Coltrane – JowCol music LLC – Arr M.Brown
Johnny’s Mambo – Michael Lloyd and Le Disc – Apple Inc – Arr M.Brown
Over the rainbow – Harold Arlen – MGM Inc – Arr B.Lowden
Mask of the chili pepper – Doug Beach and George Shutack – Doug Beach Music – Arr D.Beach and G.Shutack.
The Creep – Andy Burton and Brian Fahey – Unknown copyrighter? – Arr M.Brown
One o’clock jump – Count Basie – Warner brothers – Arr M.Brown
A night like this – Caro Emerald – Apple Inc – Arr M.Brown
The Pink Panther theme – Henry Mancini – United Artists – Arr D.Tanner
Sing, sing, sing – Louis Prima/Andy Razaf – EMI – Arr M.Brown
The Jazz police – Gordon Goodwin – Wingood music productions inc – Arr V.Lopez