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.
Jazz Under the Stars 2020 - SOLD OUT
SORRY, SOLD OUT 6TH NOV!
WAYJO returns to the beautiful Quarry Amphitheatre to celebrate the joy of live jazz under the vast WA sky.
Treat yourself to three big bands, showcasing all their favourite repertoire from classic big band jazz through to newly commissioned works from Australian composers Andrew Murray, Mace Francis, and WAYJO’s 2020 composer in residence Des Cannings.
Bring a picnic and enjoy a feast of jazz new and old, under the stars for one night only!
WAYJO presents Jazz Under the Stars
with the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night, plus Tuesday & Wednesday Night Orchestras
Fri 27 Nov, 7.30pm
The Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
Limited Tickets only from Trybooking
$55.00 Standard
$45.00 Pensioner
$50.00 Seniors
$15.00 Child (Under 15)
$25.00 Student
$125.00 Family (Good for 4)
WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra - Perth International Jazz Festival 2020
The WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra join the 2020 Perth International Jazz Festival with a free community concert of jazz classics at the glorious Hyde Park in Perth.
Bring a picnic and enjoy an outdoor concert by these rising stars of jazz!
WAYJO MNO Musical Director: Ricki Malet
Alto Saxophones: Sanika Dingre, Abbie Langford
Tenor Saxophones: Dee Moore, Phoebe Cameron
Baritone Saxophone: Benjamin Roseby
Trumpets: Jonah Golds/Ethan Lamb, Pierson Snowsill, Zoe Boyd, Jenny Bylund
Trombones: Jordan Boase, Angus Lawrie, Taj Johnstone
Bass Trombone: Sebastian Herrmann
Guitar: Bryn Larkin
Piano: Luke Geha
Bass: Cass Evans-Ocharern
Drums: Cameron Fermoyle
Vocals: Daisy Fanning
Hyde Park, Sunday 8 Nov, 2:45pm
Free Community Event
'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 Ricki vs MNO Rhythm Live at Lyric’s Underground
Ricki Malet teams up with the Monday Night Orchestra rhythm section to perform a number of classic jazz standards arranged for the group by the group.
This will be an exciting performance with Ricki bringing his musical maturity and attempting to keep up with the youthful exuberance of the MNO rhythm section... let's make it a good clean fight lads!
Ricki Malet Vs the Monday Night Orchestra rhythm section present a range of classic jazz standards and some works from Lee Morgan, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and many more!
On my right, it's Ricki Malet on Trumpet.
On my left, WAYJO Monday Night Orchestra Rhythm Section:
Bryn Larkin - Guitar
Luke Geha - Piano
Cass Evans-Ocharern - Bass
Cam Fermoyle - Drums
Band Set 7.00pm
Open Jam Session 8.20pm
Check out the vibe in this video
RSVP & share with friends on Facebook
WAYJO presents Live @ Lyric’s Underground, a series of jazz concerts with late jam sessions held first Sunday of the month.
Starting September 2020, ‘Live @ The Underground’ sessions feature a guest act on stage 7.00pm for 1-hour, followed by opportunities for improvising musicians to jam with the band from 8.20pm.
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.
Head to wayjo.com for more about WAYJO.
A Night of Jazz Royalty: Swingin’ with The Count & The Duke - SOLD OUT
SORRY, SOLD OUT 9TH SEP!
Throughout jazz history a handful of musicians claimed their kingdom. Masters of their domain, this jazz royalty changed music forever. All hail the jazz!
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.
As humble subjects, the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra & Tuesday Night Orchestra pay their respects, presenting the very best from all these artists. Come along and hear why these artists are still considered Jazz Royalty.
A Night of Jazz Royalty: Swingin’ with The Count & The Duke
with the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, plus Tuesday Night Orchestra
Fri 23 & Sat 24 Oct, 7.30pm
Downstairs at The Maj, His Majesty’s Theatre Perth
Limited tickets only from Perth Theatre Trust
$40.00 A Reserve
$35.00 Concession (Full time students, pensioners, Seniors Card holders, unemployed, juniors aged 16 years or under)
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.

CANCELLED - A Golden Era of Jazz on Film - Toshi Clinch
PLEASE NOTE: In response to COVID-19 restrictions, WAYJO sadly announce cancellation of this show.
Ticket holders for the show will receive a full refund from Perth Theatre Trust.
If you can, please consider a ticket refund or other donation to WAYJO at wayjo.com/support
Full statement: wayjo.com/covid-19-concert-cancellations
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope to see you at another WAYJO performance in the near future.
The great Hollywood era of the 1950’s and 1960’s gave us some of the most memorable movie themes and soundtracks by the biggest names in music.
Melbourne composer and bassist Toshi Clinch has reimagined works by Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Henry Mancini, John Williams and more.
For a night that will take you back to a time when Netflix wasn’t a thing and chillin’ was something you would do to your martini glass before serving.
Toshi visits us from Melbourne thanks to WAYJO’s 2020 Guest Artist Partner, the Minderoo Foundation
Photograph of Toshi by Sam Meakin
WAYJO presents A Golden Era of Jazz on Film
featuring bassist Toshi Clinch and WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, plus WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra
Fri 2 October, 7.30pm & Sat 3 October, 3.00pm & 7.30pm
Downstairs at The Maj | His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth
Tickets from Perth Theatre Trust
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!

CANCELLED - Come Together - Andrew Murray & Mace Francis
PLEASE NOTE: In response to COVID-19 restrictions, WAYJO sadly announce cancellation of this show.
Ticket holders for the show will receive a full refund from Perth Theatre Trust.
If you can, please consider a ticket refund or other donation to WAYJO at wayjo.com/support
Full statement: wayjo.com/covid-19-concert-cancellations
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope to see you at another WAYJO performance in the near future.
* A World Premiere, commissioned by WAYJO *
What happens when two big band tragics get to write new music for the MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra?
We don’t know either, but we are excited! Our artistic director Mace Francis and alumni Andrew Murray will bring MNO new music fresh off the press!
Expect bombastic brass, swirling saxophones and a raucous rhythm section. The music is fun, joyful, and a great way to celebrate this wonderful young band as led by WAM Award winner Ricki Malet.
Andrew visits us from Melbourne thanks to WAYJO’s 2020 Guest Artist Partner, the Minderoo Foundation
Photograph of Andrew by Josh Braidner
WAYJO presents Come Together
featuring Andrew Murray, Mace Francis, and the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra
Fri 3 June, 7.30pm & Sat 4 June, 3.00pm & 7.30pm
Downstairs at The Maj | His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth
Tickets from Perth theatre Trust