(Review by Russell).
NYJO is an institution. Bill Ashton formed the band in the mid-sixties. In 1978 it was an established part of the jazz landscape, it was the year NYJO took part in the Newport Jazz Festival in Middlesbrough. In the line-up forty years ago was a promising trumpeter...one Gerard Presencer. Many young musicians of the highest calibre - before and since - have held chairs in the nation's big band. Recent success stories include Sam Glaser (alto) and the Jam Experiment boys, Jonathan (Jonny) Mansfield (vibes/percussion) and Rory Ingham (trombone).
NYJO returned to Middlesbrough this weekend to play a concert in the recently renovated Town Hall. Invariably the band's personnel comprises students (graduate and undergraduate) drawn from prestigious institutions (Guildhall, Royal Academy, Trinity, Chethams) with a busy gigging schedule (Ronnie's, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Halls Albert and Festival, European festivals, NYC engagements).
Last year Sage Gateshead was on NYJO's itinerary and this Middlesbrough date marked the band's return to the region. MD Mark Armstrong presides over top class musicians playing big band staples and commissioned material. Women in jazz - women as composers and instrumentalists - were at the heart of this Saturday afternoon performance. Your correspondent noted few female musicians - three in total - took to the stage. A gender imbalance? Undeniably. Similarly, no one could doubt the brilliance of NYJO 2018.
A soprano sax feature for Sam Glaser on Bob Curnow's arrangement for big band of Pat Metheny's The First Circle set the standard, a standard maintained throughout. Vocalist Ellie Bignall sang several numbers including That Old Black Magic, the sections were the business, so much so that on occasion MD Armstrong stood in the wings, content to let them play and the rhythm section could hold its own with most others.
Laura Jurd's arrangement of Mary Lou Williams' Zodiac Suite is in the pad and three parts - Aries, Taurus and Virgo - were heard here on Albert Road. Joe Hill (piano) impressed the full house and the band's special guest, Nikki Iles, beamed her appreciation of his efforts as the orchestra played the world premiere of her NYJO-commissioned piece Wild Oak (in memory of, and inspired by, Geri Allen). Iles herself joined the ensemble to play Helen Sung's* arrangement of McCoy Tyner's Four by Five for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. If one moment encapsulated the afternoon's performance it was the pianist's flashing smile reciprocated by bass player Jack Austin as the rhythm section was, as they say, cookin'!
It was announced from the stage that family members of the late Chris de Saram (Wakefield Jazz Club) were present at NYJO's performance. A legacy is to be gifted to NYJO.
Earlier, the Tees Valley Youth Jazz Collective played a short set. Formed six weeks ago, this was the band's concert debut! In old money one or two members of the orchestra stood no more than 3'6" yet, by the end of their performance, you can bet they felt six foot tall!
MD Jud Down rehearses the band once a week here in the Town Hall and one thing is for sure, you'll be hearing more from this fantastic music education project. From Chuck Mangione's Children of Sanchez to Joe Zawinul's Birdland, the Tees Valley Youth Jazz Collective did it/themselves proud.
Russell.
* Pianist Helen Sung can be heard tonight playing with the Mingus Big Band!
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