10th Anniversary Concerts The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith Glasgow, Inverness and Pitlochry: 18 – 20 January 2013

The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra are bringing their fabulous and unique big band sound to Glasgow, Inverness and Pitlochry for three final concerts to celebrate their 10^th anniversary year.   The orchestra promises an exciting programme that pays tribute to great names in jazz including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Woody Herman. Foot tapping favourites, infectious swing, mellow mood and contemporary jazz will inspire and entertain all – an opportunity not to miss!

Established in 2002 by Scotland’s leading saxophone star, Tommy Smith, the TSYJO offers big band opportunities to young players who all live or study in Scotland and can be a step towards playing with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.  The orchestra has received critical acclaim both at home and abroad and was the only Scottish Youth Jazz Orchestra to be invited to take part in the Essentially Ellington Day at the Barbican in London with Wynton Marsalis.  With all six winners of the Young Jazz Musician of the year in their ranks, they showcase endless talent, exuberance, and improvisational skills and their music sings with enthusiasm, personality and style.

The visit to Inverness will coincide with a rehearsal weekend for the Highland Youth Big Band who are delighted to be able to participate in performance and improvisation workshops given by Scotland’s leading saxophonist, Prof. Tommy Smith.  The Highland Youth Big Band is one of the eight Regional Music Groups, which run as an extension to The Highland Council’s Instrumental Tuition Service.  Members are drawn from all corners of Highland and chosen by audition.   Due to diversity of Highland geography, it is difficult to meet for regular rehearsals and therefore, a credit to the commitment of these young musicians that they are prepared to travel for residential weekend sessions throughout the year.  These meetings are intense and tiring but can provide members with memorable musical experiences and life-long friendships.  The TSYJO are delighted to invite the Highland Youth Big band to open their evening concert in Eden Court. 

Sunday afternoon’s concert in Pitlochry Festival Theatre will help raise much-needed funds to continue essential work on a Primary School in Aberdeen, Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The local Pitlochry Rotary started to help fundraise six years ago when a new classroom was required and since then, links have been maintained with the School raising funds to reroof the existing building together with providing new concrete floors, blackboards, desks, chairs and doors for the classrooms and most recently providing toilet facilities for the eight hundred pupils.  It is hoped that this concert will help finance a water supply to enable the children to wash their hands after using their new toilets as well as installing an electricity supply and enabling a level playing field.

CONCERTS:

Fri 18 January    Glasgow, Royal Conservatoire – 7.30pm

                           Box office 0141 332 5057   www.rcs.ac.uk

Sat 19 January   Inverness, Eden Court One Touch Theatre – 7.30pm

                           Box office 01463 332 5057   www.eden-court.co.uk

                           With guest appearance by The Highland Youth Big Band

Sun 20 January  Pitlochry Festival Theatre - 2.30pm

                           Box Office:  01796 484 626   www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

In aid of a primary school in Aberdeen, Freetown Sierra Leone & supported by Pitlochry Rotary

For more details, please contact Lindsay Robertson, TSYJO Manager, 07827 977735 / lr@snjo.co.ukwww.tsyjo.com

The TSYJO tour is supported by the Carntyne and Robertson Trusts and Highland Council