REGION’S TOP YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE PLAY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

North East youth jazz band Jambone will be performing at The House of Commons next week.

Run by Sage Gateshead, Jambone has been invited by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) to showcase the UK’s vibrant youth jazz orchestra scene. The APPJAG was set up by over 100 Members of Parliament. The band will perform on Wednesday (January 15) at Portcullis House with guest artist - trombonist, composer and arranger Rick Taylor.

Jambone has become established as the region’s top youth jazz bands for 13-19 year-olds. In recent years the group has enjoyed high profile live performances with jazz artists, including Andy Sheppard, Sir John Dankworth, Guy Barker, Tim Garland, the Jazz Jamaica All Stars and The Preservation Hall Band from New Orleans.

In October, Jambone performed in the Isle of Skye, Scotland at the opening night of the Skye Swing Jazz Festival.

Jacqui Cameron, Young Musicians Programme Manager, at Sage Gateshead, said: “It’s a great privilege to be invited to play in the House of Commons, to take Jambone to the capital and prove that the spirit of jazz is alive and kicking in the youth of today and the future jazz musicians of tomorrow.”

Bradley Johnston, member of Jambone said: “It’s a great honour to be invited to perform for the APPJAG at such an important venue. We are so fortunate to be working with such a highly regarded musician/composer as Rick Taylor. Being part of Jambone has given me the opportunity to travel and perform at prestigious events like, the Gateshead International Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival and more recently the Isle of Skye Swing Festival. I am really looking forward to the gig next week.”

(Sage Press Release)