From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Esperance
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Monday Night Orchestra
Time: 7pm
Date: Thursday 22 August 2024
Venue: Esperance Civic Centre, Council Place, Esperance
BOOK TICKETS
Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Harvey
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30pm
Date: Wednesday 14 August 2024
Venue: Harvey Recreation & Cultural Centre, Tom Latch Drive, Harvey WA 6220
BOOK TICKETS
Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Busselton
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 11am – 12pm
Date: Saturday 10 August 2024
Venue: Shelter Brewing Co., 11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton WA 6280
FREE EVENT
Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Margaret River
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30pm
Date: Friday 9 August 2024
Venue: Margaret River HEART, 47 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River
BOOK TICKETS
Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
Linda May Han Oh with the Wednesday Night Orchestra
LINDA MAY HAN OH WITH WAYJO’S WEDNESDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA
“…her innovative range and stellar improvisations have made [her] one of the most dynamic rising stars in jazz today.”
The Wall Street Journal
Experience award-winning bassist/composer Linda May Han Oh as she graces Boorloo (Perth) for a special one-night performance with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO).
Renowned globally for her exceptional talent, versatility and dedication to music education, Linda returns to WAYJO after being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2023. From her beginnings as an orchestra member where she was awarded the Bob Wyllie Scholarship for best graduation recitalist, to winning a Grammy for her bass performance on Terri Lyne Carrington’s ‘New Standards Vol. 1’, Linda’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Now based in New York City, she is returning to perform her original compositions with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra, under the musical direction of Gemma Farrell and Bayden Adams.
From her acclaimed quintet album ‘The Glass Hours’ to being animated as bassist ‘Miho’ in Pixar’s ‘Soul’ film, Linda’s influence is undeniable.
Join us for an exceptional evening of jazz with one of the most in-demand musicians of our time.
Linda May Han Oh appears thanks to Minderoo Foundation’s support for WAYJO’s Guest Artist Program 2024.
Linda May Han Oh with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30 – 8:45pm
Date: Saturday 13 July 2024
Venue: Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA
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Linda May Han Oh: Special guest artist
This week is a huge one for WAYJO as acclaimed bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh arrives from the USA to perform with our Wednesday Night Orchestra on Saturday night at the State Theatre Centre of WA.
Renowned globally for her exceptional talent, versatility and dedication to music education, Linda’s beginnings were as a WAYJO orchestra member in the years 2000 to 2005 (approximately), performing first on bassoon and then reverting to upright bass. She is now one of the most in-demand international musicians of our time, achieving the extraordinary, including winning a Grammy for her bass performance on Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards Vol. 1, as well as being animated as bassist ‘Miho’ in the Pixar film ‘Soul’.
Linda will be performing eight of her own compositions with our Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO) under the joint musical direction of Gemma Farrell and Bayden Adams, and in the lead up, Gemma gives us some insight on what will be happening behind-the-scenes.
Tell us what goes into prepping the orchestra for a performance like this with a guest artist.
Gemma Farrell: WNO is the most senior of the three WAYJO bands. Most of them are at the early stages of their professional careers, so they understand that a gig with music as complex as this requires a lot of practice and focus, and thinking about your role within your section, acting as a team rather than 18 individuals. They all greatly admire Linda, and some aim to have the kind of career she has had, so they are all looking forward to playing. The music is extremely difficult, so we have been doing a lot of extra rehearsals as a band, and they have no doubt been practising harder individually.
WNO will be playing some tracks off Linda May Han Oh’s latest album ’The Glass Hours’ – which is performed as a quartet. How do the pieces develop and how different are they in a big band format?
A lot of the music has been arranged for big band either by Linda herself or Jim McNeely (USA), who is a huge name in big band jazz. Obviously when you change an arrangement from small group to big band, there are a lot of different musicians you have to find parts for, but they all have to sound like they’re adding to the music. These arrangements have been masterfully put together, and the rich, large ensemble sound really compliments these compositions.
Linda May Han Oh is highly acclaimed worldwide. Tell us what’s interesting about her compositions and the challenges/complexities they entail for other musicians playing her works.
Masterful composers like Linda often write complex time signatures in a way that makes them sound seamless. I remember hearing that the great Maria Schneider sings her melodies and records them before working out the time signatures. Linda has a way of coming up with a beautiful melody, and it’s only when you analyse it and put it on paper that you realise how complex it is. Counting is one of the significant challenges in this gig, and some very technically challenging lines sound beautiful when they are together, but they take a lot of fine motor work on the instruments.
Which composition out of the set list is your favourite and why?
‘The Sirens Are Wailing’. I have performed this composition with the Artemis Orchestra for a few years now so I’m looking forward to performing it with Linda for the first time. The fact that I’ve been performing the chart for a while now means that I am more comfortable with it and can enjoy it more.
How many rehearsals will you be squeezing in this week with Linda? Give us some insight on how they will run.
We are rehearsing Wednesday through Saturday for this gig and will be with Linda from Thursday. I need to discuss the format with Linda and our assistant musical director, Bayden Adams, but we have eight of her compositions to get through as well as an opening number. I’m hoping that once we’ve had the opportunity to run through everything with her, we can work on some of the trickier moments and polish them.
How are you and Bayden working together in this instance?
We are taking four of Linda’s works each.
Anything else you’d like to add about the upcoming performance?
It would be a shame to miss it. Make sure you secure your tickets as soon as possible.
Linda May Han Oh with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30 – 8:45pm
Date: Saturday 13 July 2024
Venue: Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA
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Linda May Han Oh and Fabian Almazan working with WAYJO in 2020
Upcoming Events
Best of 2024
Enjoy a jazzy night under the stars with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) at their Best of 2024 concert at the Quarry Amphitheatre on Saturday, 23 November.
[SOLD OUT] WAYJO Northern Corridor Band Showcase
WAYJO Northern Corridor Band Showcase
Please note: This performance has sold-out
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Catch a glimpse of the future of jazz in Perth as the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra Northern Corridor Band (WAYJO NC) performs your favourite classics at The Ellington Jazz Club.
Led by saxophonist and WAYJO alum Jessica Herbert, the training orchestra program was established in 2022 to cultivate emerging musicians with a passion for big band jazz. WAYJO NC isn’t just another big band, it serves as a gateway into the jazz world and the dynamic Perth arts scene for high school-aged musicians. The program provides a platform for young artists to deepen their music understanding, foster leadership skills, and build lasting connections in the industry.
This formidable ensemble is already tackling some of the biggest names in jazz and will entertain audiences with a classic repertoire from the big band library. Join us as these emerging jazz musicians showcase their skills at Perth’s premier jazz club – get a front row seat before they hit the big time.
WAYJO Northern Corridor Band Showcase
Time: 6 – 8pm (doors at 5pm)
Date: Sunday 16 June 2024
Venue: The Ellington Jazz Club
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WAYJO Celebrate 100 Years of Sammy Nestico
WAYJO Celebrate 100 Years of Sammy Nestico
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrates the life and music of one of the most influential figures in jazz history: Sammy Nestico.
A giant in the world of jazz, this year marks 100 years of nine-time Grammy Award-nominee Sammy Nestico. Nestico’s prolific career in the music industry spanned more than eight-decades, as he continued to work well into his 90’s, completing his final album at the age of 94. WAYJO’s St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra takes on his vast repertoire, which includes jazz classics such as ‘Hay Burner,’ ‘The Queen Bee, Basie – Straight Ahead,’ ‘Magic Flee,’ ‘Switch In Time’ and ‘It’s Oh So Nice.’
As the chief arranger for the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1970s, Nestico’s arrangements played a pivotal role in revitalising the Basie band’s sound. He’s widely acclaimed for influencing the course of jazz, composing, arranging, and conducting albums for musicians and singers including Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Barbara Streisand, Michael Bublé, Natalie Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.
Nestico leaves behind a legacy that remains an integral part of the repertoire for countless big bands, continuing to inspire and influence musicians and audiences alike. Join WAYJO at Perth’s premier jazz club as they commemorate the music of Sammy Nestico.
WAYJO Celebrate 100 Years of Sammy Nestico
Time: 7 – 9pm (doors at 6pm)
Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Venue: The Ellington Jazz Club
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Sammy Nestico’s ‘Hay Burner’ by the Count Basie Orchestra
Sarah McKenzie with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Sarah McKenzie with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Internationally acclaimed Australian jazz pianist and vocalist Sarah McKenzie reunites with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) for an evening of Brazilian-inspired big band jazz in the iconic Liberty Theatre.
Hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent, Sarah returns to her roots in Perth, where she first honed her skills with WAYJO. With an impressive international touring history, including performances alongside Michael Bublé, Enrico Rava, and John Patitucci, Sarah’s lyrical sense of swing has been compared to that of Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.
Her sixth and latest album, ‘Without You,’ is a reinvention of the timeless music of Brazilian jazz, infused with fresh ideas and subtle surprises. Featuring treasured classics such as ‘Corcovado’ (Quiet Nights) and ‘The Girl From Ipanema,’ alongside Sarah’s original compositions influenced by the likes of Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, and Astrud Gilberto.
Performing in the Liberty Theatre in the heart of the Perth CBD, the venue exudes nostalgia and mystery. The Liberty Theatre first opened as an art house cinema in 1954 but has been closed for decades. This is a unique opportunity to see live music in a venue that is rarely open to the public.
Sarah McKenzie graces the stage with WAYJO’s 18-piece Monday Night Orchestra, with big band adaptations breathing new energy into her remarkable repertoire spanning her career. From gentle sway of Brazilian jazz to soulful ballads, audiences will be immersed in the combination of paying homage to tradition, and innovation.
This event is presented by WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) and the Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF).
Sarah McKenzie with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm
Date: Saturday 11 May 2024
Venue: The Liberty Theatre
TICKETS FROM MEGATIX
Sarah McKenzie plays ‘Corcovado’ (Antonio Carlos Jobim) with Romero Lubambo on guitar and Jaques Morelenbaum on cello
Sarah McKenzie Quartet
Sarah McKenzie Quartet
Internationally acclaimed Australian jazz pianist and vocalist Sarah McKenzie performs an evening of Brazilian-inspired big band jazz in the iconic Liberty Theatre.
Sarah McKenzie is an Australian jazz pianist, composer, vocalist, and bandleader whose breezy technical style, songwriting acumen, and pronounced lyrical sense of swing have drawn comparisons to Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.
In this very special quartet performance, Sarah will be sharing songs from her latest release – Without You. This recording is a reinvention of the timeless music of Brazilian Jazz with fresh ideas and subtle surprises, adding to its legacy.
“I’ve always loved the music of Brazil, Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, and of course Astrud Gilberto,” says Sarah McKenzie. “What I especially love about Jobim is the simplicity and clarity of his melodies, songs that one can remember and sing.”
Sarah will be joined by Kristian Borring (guitar), Nick Abbey (bass), and Pete Evans (drums).
Tickets are strictly limited – don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Sarah in Perth!
This event is presented by WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) and the Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF).
Sarah McKenzie Quartet
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Date: Friday 10 May 2024
Venue: The Liberty Theatre
TICKETS FROM MEGATIX
Sarah McKenzie plays ‘Corcovado’ (Antonio Carlos Jobim) with Romero Lubambo on guitar and Jaques Morelenbaum on cello