Marty Pervan on Mambolicious

We sat down with Musical Director of the St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, Marty Pervan, to find out a little more about the Mambolicious Program.

‘Mambolicious: Jodrell Screams Puente’ features one of Australia’s greatest trumpet players, Mat Jodrell, and pays homage to influential Latin jazz pioneer, Tito Puente. Performing in Margaret River on 30 June at Margaret River HEART, and then in Perth at Milk Bar on 1 July, these concerts are guaranteed to have your feet tapping and hips shaking.


Marty Pervan with the St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra by Josh Wells

Why are you excited to collaborate with Mat Jodrell and what are you hoping he’ll bring to the St John of God Tuesday Night Orchestra?

Given that Mat is a WAYJO alumnus, this collaboration is an opportunity to reconnect on both a personal and musical level. The wealth of knowledge and experience that comes with a musician that has lived and worked professionally as a first-call jazz and session trumpet player in places like New York is informative and inspirational for the band members. After leaving Perth, Mat attended the Julliard School of Music, and this also brings a unique set of experiences that bend members who are also tertiary music students will find enlightening. I am confident the anecdotal element of Mat’s communication and engagement with the band will be just as invaluable as his musical contribution.

What are you looking forward to on the regional tour to Margaret River?

There are no amount of rehearsals that can simulate the positive musical effect of a tour. The shared experiences and time spent together allow the musicians to connect in a way that is impossible to imitate. The shows, workshops and rehearsals will all be great musical experiences that will create lifelong memories for the band members (and probably the staff too).

What do you love about Tito Puente’s works?

Tito Puente was my first introduction to Son/montuno (Salsa), Mambo, Guaguanco and Cha Cha – it is something for which I have had a lifelong passion. I enjoy educating the band members about this genre of music and the various musical elements that make it unique. It is consistently exciting to play and listen to. This is always evident in the expressions of awe and joy on the faces of the band as they are performing.

Is there anything else you can tell us about the Mambolicious program?

We will be performing some of Tito Puente’s most popular tunes that most audiences have heard of as well as a selection of other music from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Columbia, and New York.

“I will be immensely surprised if any of the audience isn’t up and dancing early in the performance.”

Other artists that we will be performing the music of include Cubanismo, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Buena Vista Social Club, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Poncho Sanchez, Matt Harris, and Mike Tomaro.


Experience Mambolicious: Jodrell Screams Puente
7:30pm, Friday 30 June | Margaret River HEART | TICKETS
7:30pm, Saturday 1 July | Milk Bar, Inglewood | TICKETS


Swing Into Our 40th Celebrations

Swing Into Our 40th Celebrations

WAYJO is turning 40 and we’re taking over the State Theatre Centre of WA to celebrate!

WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary celebrations are this weekend, 26 & 27 May, at the State Theatre Centre of WA.

We’re thrilled that Friday’s concert is now sold out, but tickets are still available for Saturday’s mini festival, featuring in-conversations, small group jazz ensembles, historic photo displays, alumni appearances, and big band performances.

Want to read more about the program? Seesaw Magazine previewed the Festival program and spoke to Mace, Jamie Oehlers and Libby Hammer, who’ll also both perform on Saturday, as well as Ben Franz of The Waifs about his time with WAYJO.

Book tickets to the 40th Anniversary Festival on Saturday 27 May at 4pm from the State Theatre Centre.

Mace Francis on WAYJO's 40th Anniversary Festival

WAYJO's 40th Anniversary Festival Program


WAYJO's 40th Anniversary Concert & Festival

You’re invited to the jazz party of the year as WAYJO turns 40!

With thousands of events under its belt and a special place in many a WA musician’s hearts and memories, WAYJO is marking the occasion in style – bringing together Perth’s biggest jazz names alongside future stars of the Australian jazz scene for one special weekend at the State Theatre Centre’s Studio Underground and Foyer.

Join us as we celebrate WAYJO’s 40-year history and look towards the future of jazz!


40th Anniversary Concert

The celebrations begin with a Gala performance on Friday evening featuring WAYJO big bands alongside special guest alumni including Perth’s premier jazz vocalist, Libby Hammer, the versatile trombonist Catherine Noblet, the accomplished saxophonist Gemma Farrell, and the elegant vocalist Lucy Iffla.

On the big night, all three bands – MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, and Wednesday Night Orchestra – will take to the stage to perform commissioned works, band and fan favourites, and classic big band jazz repertoire.

WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Concert
7:30pm, Friday 26 May
Studio Underground

BOOK TICKETS

40th Anniversary Festival

Then on Saturday, take a trip down memory lane and immerse yourself in our mini festival hub of in-conversations, small group jazz ensembles, historic photo displays, alumni appearances, and big band performances.

Be transported through time as all three big bands celebrate the greats playing classic big band jazz, music from the depths of the WAYJO library, and a line-up that traces jazz through to contemporary, translating be-bop to hip-hop.

With guest artists Jamie Oehlers, Libby Hammer, and Zero Emcee, this is an event not to be missed.

WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Festival
4pm – 10pm, Saturday 27 May
Studio Underground

BOOK TICKETS


WAYJO presents Final 2022 Show at Quarry Amphitheatre, 25 November

In a grand finale to their 2022 season, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) presents three big bands in one glorious night under the stars in The Best of 2022 at Quarry Amphitheatre, Friday 25 November.

“The band members have put in their votes for their favourite music that they have played throughout 2022” says WAYJO’s Artistic Director Dr Mace Francis. “They have selected some music from each concert and project including two new pieces commissioned as part of the Composer in Residence program.”

“The Wednesday Night Orchestra’s set will take you through music from the great swingin’ big band era of the 1940 to music composed in July this year!”

With three big bands on stage for one night only, tickets represent exceptional value for a fantastic show of diverse jazz to suit everyone’s taste.

WAYJO’s MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra toured Margaret River and Bunbury in August. “The MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra will be selecting repertoire from their shows, featuring the music of Gemma Farrell, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Mingus. Get ready for an explosive set of big band music from the ever youthful MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra!” – MNO Musical Director Ricki Malet.

The St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra also toured the great Southern September, and present “… everything from Count Basie to Tito Puente and a whole gamut of swinging big-band jazz and funk in between. We always look forward to entertaining you with this performance as the culmination of a year’s worth of work and rehearsals. You might pay for the whole seat, but you will only need the edge!” – TNO Musical Director Marty Pervan.

The Quarry Amphitheatre is one of Perth’s premier outdoor performance venues. Nestled in the tranquil bush setting of Bold Park Reserve, it offers a stunning skyline view. Bring a picnic, choose from the Limestone Cafe menu on the night, or pre-order picnic hampers, and enjoy a jazz picnic under the stars with friends and family.

These bands have never sounded better after a year of working and touring together. A sell out several years in a row, be sure to book early for The Best of WAYJO 2022.

Stay tuned to wayjo.com as WAYJO prepares to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2023.

The Best of WAYJO 2022
MinterEllison Monday, St John of God Health Care Tuesday, & WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestras
Fri 25 November, 7.30pm
Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
Tickets wayjo.com

 

WAYJO thanks Government Partner the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas, Major Programs Partner Minderoo Foundation, MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit for their continued support.

Photographs of 2021 WAYJO Quarry show by Josh Wells.

Best of WAYJO 2022 Poster

WAYJO presents Celebrating The Greats

WAYJO presents a Big Band Celebration of Jazz Greats

2022 is the 100th birthday celebration of legendary bassist/composer Charles Mingus, and WAYJO’s MinterEllison Monday & St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestras are set to celebrate in big band style October 14 & 15, Downstairs at The Maj.

Several band members from the seminal Count Basie Orchestra line-up of the late 1950s also turn 100. Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Joe Newman, Frank Wess and Ernie Wilkins were all born in 1922, contributing iconic arrangements and solos on some of the band’s most famous recordings.

Come along for a night of classic jazz from not one but TWO big bands at His Majesty’s Theatre glorious downstairs bar, with food and beverage table service available. There are numerous public transport options, and FREE night-time parking from 6.00pm at the City of Perth’s His Majesty’s carpark, entry off Murray Street.

As WAYJO’s second last show for the 2022 season, you’d best get friends and family together and book your favourite table soon.

WAYJO presents Celebrating the Greats: 100th Birthday of Basie Band & Charles Mingus
MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra & St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra
Fri 14 & Sat 15 October, 7.30pm
Downstairs at The Maj, Perth
Tickets artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/wayjo

WAYJO also presents a 1-hour Act Belong Commit concert-workshop for schools, Fri 14 October, 1.00pm, Downstairs at The Maj – head to wayjo.com/education/concert-for-schools for details.

Celebrating the Greats Poster

Trombone Backbone

WAYJO Slides into Subiaco with a Trombone Showcase

The WAYJO St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra present a special show featuring one of the big band’s oldest instruments, Saturday 17 September, Subiaco Arts Centre.

The trombone, invented mid 15th century, derives its name comes from the Italian tromba (trumpet) plus the suffix -one (big) – meaning big trumpet. The WAYJO TNO will be joined by three of WA’s finest trombonists, who are also WAYJO alumni. Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet and Will Pethick all served in different eras of WAYJO, coming together for one night only to showcase the instrument.

Jeremy Greig on Trombone

Jeremy Greig is a trombonist, diploma of music co-ordinator and lecturer in Jazz at WAAPA. He has a Bachelor of music from Edith Cowan University and a master of Music from University of Miami. He has lived and performed in the USA and performed with the likes of Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Barry Gibb (Bee Gees), Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, Don Rickles, Wayne Newton, and Wynton Marsalis.

Catherine Noblet on Trombone

Catherine Noblet is an Australian jazz trombonist from Perth. A WAAPA graduate, she has studied and worked as a freelance musician in Perth and the US. She completed her Master of Music at the University of Illinois, studying with legendary trombonist, Jim Pugh. She now resides in Perth as a freelance musician and a regular member of the Mace Francis Orchestra, Straight Ahead Big Band, Amnesiacs, and The Western Australian Jazz Project.

Will Pethick, Trombone

Will Pethick was a member of WAYJO in 2021 who previously studied at the James Morrison Academy in South Australia. Selected to be a part of the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra last year, Will performed with Will Vinson in the 2021 Sydney Con Jazz Festival. Now back in Perth, he performs locally with The Western Australian Jazz Project, Perth Symphony Orchestra and more.

Trombones are the backbone of the big band, providing the harmonic foundation, the brassy punch and the guts of the band. Come along and enjoy this ‘sackbut’ showcase – an instrument Beethoven once described as “The voice of God” – you be the judge!

Guest artists appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

WAYJO presents The Trombone: Big Band Backbone
St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, plus trombonists Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet & Will Pethick
Sat 17 September, 7.30pm
Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco
Tickets artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/wayjo

WAYJO also present a 1-hour Act Belong Commit concert-workshop for schools, Fri 16 September, 6.30pm, at Prendiville Catholic College in Ocean Reef – head to wayjo.com/education/concert-for-schools for details.

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #SubiJazz #Trombone

Photography: B&W WAYJO Trombones (2021) & Jeremy Greig by Josh Wells – Catherine Noblet by Deprimo – Will Pethick by WAAPA

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

Trombone Backbone Poster

WAYJO TNO - photo Josh Wells

2022 WAYJO Act Belong Commit TNO Regional Tour

The WAYJO St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra (TNO) head to Albany and York 21-26 September to deliver workshops at several schools, plus two free community concerts.

Directed by Ricki Malet, the band perform jazz, blues and Latin classics. From Basie through to Bossa Nova, and Billie Holiday to Bob Mintzer, let WAYJO's TNO entertain you with all the big band greats from the 1950s through to today.

Come along for free community shows in Albany and also York as part of the 2022 York Festival Jazz Weekend.

Albany Entertainment Centre
Friday 23 September, 7.00pm – free entry only with tickets from artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/wayjo

York Festival Jazz Weekend @ The Imperial Hotel
Sunday 25 September, 1.00pm – free entry, festival information yorkfestival.com.au

For more information about WAYJO's regional touring program, head to wayjo.com/regional

WAYJO’s Regional Touring program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message.

St John of God HealthCare     

 

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #WAYJOregional #ActBelongCommit
Photograph: 2021 WAYJO TNO by Josh Wells

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

WAYJO TNO - photo Josh Wells


WAYJO presents 'Taint What You Do

WAYJO presents ‘Taint What You Do

A Swinging Night of Dance Music at The Rechabite

Two of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) bands are heading to The Rechabite Hall Sunday 21 August for a night of big band swing.

The WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra are in fine form, appearing fresh from a sell-out show in July, plus very well received Act Belong Commit Regional Tour appearances in Margaret River and Bunbury early August.

The WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra also return to The Rechabite to perform a swinging set, hailing the charm and splendour that were live dance band evenings of yesteryear.

This relaxed Sunday evening show is perfect for dancers of all ages and abilities, plus families wishing to enjoy classic jazz inspired by the big bands of the 1930s to the 1960s.

Dress up and step out in style on this amazing wooden dance floor, along with the local swing dancing community. Be sure to get your tickets before they swing out the door.

WAYJO presents ‘Taint What You Do
MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra & WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra
Sun 21 August, 7.30pm
The Rechabite, Northbridge
Tickets wayjo.com

WAYJO has chosen to use Humanitix for our 2022 ticketed season.
Humanitix are a registered charity offering 100% of profits from booking fees toward education programs for Young Girls and scholarships for Indigenous Australians.

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #RechabiteJazz

Photograph: Josh Wells (Speakeasy 2021)

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

WAYJO22 Taint What You Do Poster

Gemma Farrell - Saxophone

WAYJO presents a Saxophone Showcase with Gemma Farrell

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) presents outstanding saxophonist, composer and educator Gemma Farrell at Lyric’s Underground, Saturday July 30th.

Join the WAM award winner and 2022 Australian Women in Music Award nominee, plus WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra (MNO), in a big band exploration of the saxophone family.

This showcase features almost the entire family of instruments, as well as electronic saxophone, making it a great concert for saxophone fans, plus those wanting to learn more about the iconic jazz reed instrument.

“As well as playing two of my original big band compositions, recorded by the Artemis Orchestra, I will be performing some of the great Ellington and Basie saxophone features with the MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra” says Gemma. “I’ll be performing on the four main members of the saxophone family, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone, as well as performing a standard on the Electric Wind Instrument or (EWI) with the MNO rhythm section.”

“MNO is sounding great and I’m really looking forward to performing with them.”

Gemma’s projects as a leader include the Gemma Farrell Quintet, the Artemis Orchestra, the Namora Nonet and MFG. She can also be seen performing with the Perth Cabaret Collective, the 950 Express, Mace Francis +11, and Perth Saxophone Rockers.

Gemma’s skills as talented composer and performer with WAYJO can be enjoyed for one night only – book tickets soon at wayjo.com

Gemma appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

WAYJO presents Gemma Farrell Meets WAYJO
MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, with special guest Gemma Farrell
Sat 30 July, 8.00pm
Lyric’s Underground, Maylands
Tickets wayjo.com

WAYJO has chosen to use Humanitix for our 2022 ticketed season.
Humanitix are a registered charity offering 100% of profits from booking fees toward education programs for Young Girls and scholarships for Indigenous Australians.

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #JazzUnderground #GemmaFarrellSaxophone
Photograph: Gemma Farrell – artist supplied

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

WAYJO presents Gemma Farrell poster

Monday Night Orchestra

2022 WAYJO Act Belong Commit MNO Regional Tour

The WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra (MNO) is excited to be touring regionally to Margaret River and Bunbury early August.

Join the MNO on their ‘Big Band Road Trip’ for a night of classic Count Basie and Duke Ellington jazz repertoire, plus exciting contemporary works by WA saxophonist, composer, and 2022 Australian Women in Music Award nominee Gemma Farrell.

There’s something for all contemporary and jazz music fans in this free community concert program simply not to be missed!

Margaret River District Club
Thursday 4 August, 7.00pm – free entry margaretriverdistrictclub.com

Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC)
Friday 5 August, 7.00pm – free tickets from bunburyentertainment.com

WAYJO’s Regional Touring program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message.

     

 

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #WAYJOregional #ActBelongCommit
Photograph: 2021 WAYJO MNO by Josh Wells

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950