Classic, Contemporary & Commissioned Jazz in June
WAYJO are back with Jazz at The Maj, presenting Basie & Beyond – A Journey Through Jazz Downstairs at The Maj 11-12 June.
Let WAYJO take you on a bold jazz journey from Basie and into the big band beyond! Enjoy classic jazz repertoire, artfully paired with reinvented contemporary standards, presented by the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra (MNO). The second half features the Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO) premiering exciting new works by WAYJO alumni Alana Macpherson, commissioned by the Minderoo Foundation.
WNO bring to life a set of all new music by the Downbeat award-winning composer and arranger. The music, inspired by the composer’s reflections on Australia, was composed during several lockdowns in Europe throughout 2020. This is a unique opportunity to see Alana Macpherson in action shaping the music that was composed specifically for the orchestra.
Alana is a Perth born is a saxophonist and composer currently based in Graz, Austria. Following the 2019 release of her debut album “All or Nothing At All”, Macpherson won the Downbeat Student Music Award for Large Ensemble Arrangement, as well as the 2018 WAM awards for “Best Brass/Woodwind/Strings Instrumentalist” and “Best Live Jazz Act”. She has toured with Emil Spanyi (Hungary), performed with the Vine Street Horns (Phil Collins), KUG Jazz Orchestra, Graz Composer’s Orchestra, James Morrison Big Band, and the Evan Sherman Big Band, among others. Macpherson has performed her works at the Perth International Jazz Festival, King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, and Jazzwerkstatt Festival (Austria).
There’s something for all contemporary and jazz music fans in this bold big band program simply not to be missed.
Tickets to all Jazz at The Maj shows, including the The Golden Age of Swing in August, are available from ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo
Alana appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.
What people are saying about Alana’s Music;
“Alana is not only is an excellent saxophone player, but she is finding her own unique voice as a composer, arranger and band-leader. She’s a fan of Bob Brookmeyer’s music and you can hear a clear continuation of his concepts in her writing.” – Ed Partyka 2019
Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #JazzAtTheMaj #BasieAndBeyond
Act Belong Commit Jazz at The Maj for Schools
Students and teachers may also enjoy a special 1-hour school concert-workshop with Alana, Friday 11 June, 3.00pm.
School workshops are great value at just $15 (+bf) per student or teacher/parent – plus you receive 1 complimentary ticket per 9 purchased. School bookings can only be made by calling Perth Theatre Trust group bookings on 6212 9291, or email groups@ptt.wa.gov.au
Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #ActBelongCommit #JazzSchool #BasieAndBeyond
Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Photos by Simon Reithofer, Reithofer Media
Make Mother’s Day with Jazz at The Maj – Oh, Lady Be Good!
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) are excited to return to His Majesty’s Theatre for 2021.
Opening a season of three Jazz at The Maj shows for the year, Oh, Lady Be Good makes a songful entrance Downstairs at The Maj 7-8 May – just in time for the Mother’s Day weekend.
Take a Quickstep back into a bygone era of style and glamour! Join special guest vocalist Victoria Newton (WAYJO member 1987-89), the WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra plus all three of the big band vocalists, for this showcase of beloved big band vocal repertoire.
Victoria has serenaded audiences across the world with her style, technique and humour. Now head of jazz voice at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she’s worked the London jazz scene, collaborated with Acid-Jazz legend the late Ronny Jordan, and supported Terence Blanchard at the Jazz Café with her quartet.
Enjoy this show at the historic Greenwich Club site – now Downstairs at The Maj – nestled beneath Perth’s iconic His Majesty’s Theatre. Escape the hustle and bustle of the CBD to indulge in the relaxed and revamped Downstairs Bar, with cosy cabaret-style seating, plus fascinating foyer displays from the Museum of Performing Arts Collection.
WAYJO’s last show at The Maj was a sell-out, so best book those tickets soon - and don’t forget to treat Mum too!
You can subscribe & save $10 per adult priced ticket by purchasing all three WAYJO Jazz at The Maj shows in the same transaction; 7-8 May: Oh, Lady Be Good | 11-12 June: Basie & Beyond | 6-7 August: The Golden Age of Swing - head to ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo
Victoria appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.
What people are saying about Victoria;
“A fabulous strong clear voice with a great sense of time and an even greater sense of fun!” - Steve Rubie, 606 Club, London
“Deeply into the music, a real jazz singer” - Brian Blain, Jazz UK
“A jazz singer a cut above the crowd” - John Fordham, The Guardian, UK
Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #JazzAtTheMaj #OhLadyBeGood
Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
WAYJO Act Belong Commit Regional Tour 2021 presents Basie & Beyond
WAYJO are coming to Margaret River HEART, Wednesday 5th May – and Bunbury BREC, Friday 7th May – for two free community concerts for all the family.
Let the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra take you on a bold jazz journey from Basie and into the big band beyond…
Enjoy classic big band repertoire, artfully paired with reinvented contemporary jazz standards, plus premiere exciting commissions by WAYJO’s alumni composer Alana Macpherson on her recent return from Austria.
Due to the year that was 2020, our band members have been retained into 2021. Because of this, our MNO is now a tight knit musical family, performing bigger and better than ever before!
There’s something for all contemporary and jazz music fans in this bold big band program that’s simply not to be missed. WAYJO have travelled nearly 300km to play before a audiences in the South West – so don’t miss out!
WAYJO thanks Healthway Act Belong Commit for supporting our Regional Touring program.
PLEASE NOTE: these are FREE community concerts with admission for ticket holders only as venue numbers are restricted.
Wed 5 May, 7.30pm
Margaret River HEART
47 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River
Limited Free tickets only from margaretriverheart.com.au – (08) 9780 5294.
Fri 7 May, 7.30pm
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC)
2 Blair St, Bunbury
Limited Free tickets only from bunburyentertainment.com – 1300 661 272.
Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #WAYJOregional #ActBelongCommit #BasieAndBeyond
Jump into Jazz at the 2021 WAYJO Season Launch
Since 1983, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) has been at the forefront of Australia’s emerging jazz performers, conductors and composers. The 2021 season offering is no exception, bringing together traditional and contemporary jazz to familiar venues Downstairs at The Maj and The Quarry Amphitheatre, and introducing new vibes at The Rechabite and Lyric’s Lane.
This bold program showcases the MinterEllison Monday, plus Tuesday and Wednesday Night Orchestras, demonstrating the versatile possibilities of the big band format. It is a season with something for everyone, spanning traditional repertoire at The Golden Age of Swing in August, through to an upbeat dancing selection at A Latin Explosion in September.
WAYJO are also proud to present commissioned work by alumni Kate Pass in a world music collaboration with Kate Pass and the Kohesia Ensemble, presenting a Persian spin on big band music in July.
Freshly commissioned big band and jazz ensemble works also spring to life at The Modern Masters show in October, with internationally renowned saxophonist, and Associate Dean of Music at WAAPA, Dr Jamie Oehlers.
The season closes in November at The Quarry Amphitheatre in an awe-inspiring collaboration with the WAAPA Jazz and Gospel Choirs.
2021 promises tight knit ensemble work in a bold season of shows from March to November. Tickets will be on sale to the public from 10.00am, Monday 29 March.
WAYJO invites you to Jump in to Jazz in a season launch at the Lyric Lane Block Party, Saturday 27 March from 4.00pm. Get there early to secure a spot, grab a season brochure, and be among the first to witness the 2021 line-ups. This is a Free Community Event at a licensed venue; 18+ with ID or minors to be accompanied by guardians.
For more information, please visit wayjo.com
Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #WAYJOBlockParty
Contacts
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Mace Francis, WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
WAYJO thanks continuing Government Partner, the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas, Major Programs Partner Minderoo Foundation, Monday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner MinterEllison, St John of God Healthcare and Healthway Act Belong Commit.
'Oh So Exciting' New Works presented by WAYJO at Perth International Jazz Festival 2020
The WAYJO MinterEllison Monday, plus Tuesday & Wednesday Night Orchestras, are proud to be part of the eight annual Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF).
Enjoy free community concerts in Hyde Park with WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra Sun 8 Nov, 2.45pm, and WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra, 4.00pm.
On her temporary return from the US, the Wednesday Night Orchestra are thrilled to perform with none other than highly acclaimed international bass player, and WAYJO alumni, Linda May Han Oh - currently of Pat Metheny Quartet.
Linda performs her newly composed works for the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra at The Rechabite Sun 8 Nov, 4.00pm. Linda appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2020 Guest Artist Partner, the Minderoo Foundation. Tickets for this show are available from Moshtix.
PIJF 2020 runs 6-8 November. Head to perthjazzfest.com for the full program and ticketing, and while you're there, consider saving with a 3-Show Pass for ticketed events booked in a single online transaction.
#perthjazzfest #WAYJO2020
WAYJO presents Jazz New and Old Under the Stars
Mining fresh new Australian jazz at The Quarry
Perth’s own WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) return to the beautiful Quarry Amphitheatre with Jazz Under the Stars, Friday 27 November from 7.30pm.
Jazz Under the Stars showcases classic big band jazz, right through to new Australian offerings by Andrew Murray, Mace Francis, and WAYJO’s 2020 Composer in Residence Des Cannings.
In a year mired by venue closures and physical isolation from March, WAYJO re-emerged with group rehearsals in July, and continued producing new Australian jazz works through its 13th annual Composer in Residence program.
Fresh from two sell-out shows at His Majesty’s Theatre, Ricki Malet leads the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, who give big band classics from the 1930s to the 60s an all new energy.
The Tuesday Night Orchestra, led by Marty Pervan, received a glowing review of their first Lyric Lane show in September. This band presents an upbeat selection of jazz, blues and Latin classics to get toes tapping.
Mace Francis introduces brave new works with the Wednesday Night Orchestra. Originally scheduled to premiere at the King St Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, WAYJO’s 2020 composer in Residence commission now premieres for audiences under the stars.
Whether a jazz-head or new to the genre, experience something for just about any taste at Jazz Under the Stars. Bring a picnic and enjoy a feast of jazz new and old, with three big bands on stage for one night only.
Head to wayjo.com/whats-on for WAYJO's events calendar and bookings. Don’t delay, as tickets are still limited.
WAYJO Holds a Royal Flush of Sellout Shows
In a time where pandemic shutdowns are causing the blues, jazz seems to reign supreme with Perth ticket buyers.
The West Australia Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) sold out not one but two shows at His Majesty’s Theatre in just 17 days. This will be the second big band show presented by the orchestra since pandemic venue restrictions were lifted in WA.
A Night of Jazz Royalty takes a stroll through the kingdom of jazz, with two big bands presenting works by the finest names in the genre. King Oliver presided over New Orleans in the early 1900s. The Duke and The Count developed big band music into the sound we hear today. Benny Goodman, the King of Swing, ruled with an iron clarinet over the 1930s, while Ella Fitzgerald was crowned the Queen of Jazz with a career spanning six decades.
WAYJO’s MinterEllison Monday Night & Tuesday Night Orchestras will pay their respects to Jazz Royalty before sold out crowds Friday 23 & Saturday 24 October.
Once a historic Perth jazz venue known as the Greenwich Club, Downstairs at The Maj has recently undergone renovations, making it a special way to experience the big band sound.
Ricki Malet, Musical Director of the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, is thrilled this band have the opportunity to debut before full audiences; “It’s so great that we could salvage some performances out of the year. The band have worked really hard over lockdown and since rehearsals started back at the end of July. We’re really excited to be able to showcase them at this amazing venue.”
If you missed out on this show, WAYJO’s Tuesday and Wednesday Night Orchestras hit the stage Thursday 17 September with Isolation Emancipation: Songs of Isolation & Freedom at Lyric’s Underground in Maylands. Tickets are on sale through Oztix, and anticipated to sell out soon.
WAYJO are also hosting the Live @ The Underground Sunday Sessions at the venue, featuring a guest jazz ensemble followed by an open jazz jam. The sessions run first Sunday of the month until December.
For more on WAYJO and what’s on, head to wayjo.com/season – just don’t wait too long to book your next tickets!
WAYJO Goes Underground
WAYJO Goes Underground – New Concert Series with Open Jam to hit Lyric’s Underground
Introducing WAYJO Live @ Lyric’s Underground, a series of jazz concerts followed by a jam session held first Sunday of the month at Lyric’s Underground – a stone’s throw from 8th Avenue and Maylands train station.
Starting September, ‘Live @ The Underground’ Sunday sessions feature a guest act on stage 7.00pm for 1-hour, followed by an open jam led by the band from 8.20pm.
Combining concert and open jam session offers much needed opportunities for live performance, while encouraging up-coming musicians to learn more about jazz, and form new connections through the art of musical improvisation.
Sunday 6 September – The Love Rats create an inspired sound, the band presents a broad selection of jazz styles, fun arrangements of classic tunes, plus originals.
Sunday 4 October – TVQ draw upon influences spanning Bill Evan’s harmonic lushness, Art Blakey’s fire, Hiromi Uehara’s flare and Keith Jarrett’s emotion.
Sunday 1 November – Ricki Malet Vs the Monday Night Orchestra rhythm section will perform classic jazz standards arranged for the group, by the group.
Sunday 6 December – Gemma Farrell Quartet present fresh, all-original jazz in the lead up to their second album release. NEW STARTING TIME OF 6PM.
Lyric’s Underground is your newest destination for bohemian jazz vibes in the heart of Maylands – one of Perth’s emerging cultural centres. Tickets are just $10 at the door.
WAYJO’s Tuesday and Wednesday Night Orchestra’s also hit the Underground stage Thursday 17 September with Isolation Emancipation: Songs of Isolation & Freedom, a concert addressing themes of isolation and freedom in a musical expression of what many have been feeling since March. Tickets on sale through Oztix.
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra are so gratefully to finally return to the stage in 2020, and hope to see you at a concert soon.
Lyric’s Underground
Downstairs, 22 Lyric Lane, Maylands WA 6051
Download printable PDF poster
WAYJO Cancels 2020 Season
Three weeks ago, consistent with State and Federal Government instructions regarding social distancing, WAYJO made the decision to cancel all rehearsals and public events until May 31. It is with a heavy heart that we now announce the full cancellation of all events programmed in our 2020 Season, Homegrown.
Entering 2020, fresh from the success of our 2019 season An American Jazz Story, featuring record attendances and easily surpassing box office targets, WAYJO’s Homegrown program was to focus on the breadth of talent in Australian jazz, with multiple new commissions and guest artists featuring Australians from around the country and indeed the world. Sadly, this season is not to be.
WAYJO are currently exploring exciting and innovative new programming initiatives that we will share with our audiences once restrictions on public gatherings are relaxed. This programming will reflect the need for performances to be commercially viable but still contain the artistic integrity WAYJO’s reputation has been built on in the company’s 37 year history.
The last few weeks have been impossibly difficult for the arts sector as a whole. WAYJO stands in solidarity with our fellow Western Australian small-medium arts companies who have lost their funding through the Australia Council as well as those, like WAYJO, who are facing difficult times with no events to present and little in the way of generated revenue coming in. Many WAYJO artists and alumni now find themselves with no income from performances and events and little prospect of these performances returning in the near term.
Arts improves lives, now more than ever. WAYJO urges the Federal and State Governments to act quickly and decisively to further support the arts sector, and in particular those artists and arts workers who have seen incomes reduced to almost nothing as a result of the considered response to controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. These artists and arts workers deserve urgent financial support and assurance during the current circumstances, and the sector as a whole faces decimation without this support.
We wish all of our alumni, members, families, friends and the wider community health and safety during this time. We ask that those who have capacity, donate to WAYJO, other arts organisations, and funds dedicated to the support of artists and arts workers. Above all else, we look forward to planning our recovery, and sharing with everyone the love for jazz our company has, and rising towards our 40th anniversary in 2023.
WAYJO exists to offer outstanding opportunities to young artists, and to build the future of Australian jazz. We wish for everyone to stay safe and connected to WAYJO, and we hope to see all of you at a performance in the near future.
Please Note: As WAYJO staff are working from home during the COVID-19 isolation period, WAYJO’s office phone is not currently attended or checked daily. To ensure the swiftest response, please make your enquiries directly via email.
Contacts
Simon Keen
WAYJO General Manager
simon.keen@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing (Monday & Wednesday)
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
WAYJO Statement on COVID-19
WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) have been monitoring Government directions on the COVID-19 pandemic. The WAYJO Board and Staff have developed Business Continuity and Risk Management Plans to ensure the safety and health of our young members and the viability of the company moving forwards.
After careful deliberation, WAYJO have cancelled all public activities and rehearsals until May 31.
These activities include:
- Previously announced cancellations of Swinging at the Embassy Ballroom and Jazz for Juniors,
- South West Regional Tour
- Polka Dots and Moonbeams, featuring Kristin Berardi
- Weekly rehearsal programs for our 54 musicians.
WAYJO envisages more cancellations of events in the future, a blow to Australian artists who were the focus of our 2020 Homegrown season. However, WAYJO recognises the insecure nature of artists’ livelihoods during the current climate, and is endeavouring to support all contracted and casual artists during this time, including proceeding with our 2020 commissioning program.
WAYJO also recognises the loss of income for Back and Front of House staff at the venues we perform in, and hope that these arts workers, many of them casual employees, receive the support they require.
The Board and Management at WAYJO will continue to re-evaluate the program in the coming months, and encourage those who are able to continue to support the sector by donating or purchasing music from affected artists.
WAYJO has built the future of Australian jazz for 37 years, and we are committed to delivering on this mission throughout 2020 and beyond.
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Contacts
Simon Keen
WAYJO General Manager
simon.keen@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
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