WAYJO Announces 2020 Season with an All-Australian Guest Artist Program
The West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) launches its 2020 season, Homegrown, celebrating the depth of talent Australia has produced in the jazz scene, with a suite of Australian guest artists in an exciting program.
After a 2019 focus on the birthplace of jazz, the USA, featuring numerous sell-out performances, WAYJO brings a stunning array of Australian artists from interstate and abroad to perform with the company’s three 18-piece jazz big bands. As part of the Homegrown season, WAYJO have also commissioned a number of new compositions, presenting the World Premiere of nearly three hours of new music.
WAYJO recognises the importance of showcasing Australian musicians and the successes of over 35 years of WAYJO alumni on the Australian and international scenes. Our vision to “build the future of Australian jazz” is the cornerstone rationale behind the 2020 program, offering outstanding opportunities for young Western Australian musicians and providing WAYJO’s growing audience with fresh perspectives and experiences.
Homegrown kicks off with a tribute to one of Perth’s legendary and much missed venues, with Swinging at the Embassy Ballroom. From 1928 to 1982, the Embassy hosted many of Perth’s swinging jazz legends as well as artists from across the ocean, and WAYJO will remind nostalgic audiences of the music of those years on the main stage at His Majesty’s Theatre. Featuring all three of WAYJO’s big bands and guest vocalists Anita Wardell & Victoria Newton this will be a concert event for young and old alike.
Jazz at The Maj returns from May to October, featuring stunning concerts in the beautifully intimate Downstairs at The Maj. The season begins in May with WAYJO welcoming vocalist Kristin Berardi (Qld) in Polka Dots and Moonbeams. Kristin wowed Perthaudiences at the 2019 Perth International Jazz Festival with her sensuous voice and joins the WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra.
In June, WAYJO is proud to present a true legend of Australian jazz, pianist Judy Bailey (NSW) to perform My Favourite Things. A force of nature, Judy joins the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra, Perth’s premiere big band in performing new jazz composition, for two unmissable concerts.
July sees WAYJO debuting our first major commissions for 2020. WAYJO alumni Andrew Murray (Vic) joins Artistic Director Dr Mace Francis to present Come Together. For the first time, the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra will perform works composed specifically for this ensemble, a rare challenge for the most junior WAYJO band. However, with well-known music like The Beatles’ “Come Together” receiving a whole new jazz arrangement audiences are sure to be surprised and enchanted in this World Premiere event.
One of WAYJO’s recent success stories, Alana Macpherson, alumna and former WAYJO Assistant Music Director, joins WAYJO in September for the second major commission of the year, All or Nothing At All. Alana, 2018 WAM Award winner as Best Brass/String/Woodwind Instrumentalist, studies her Masters of Jazz Composition at the MUG University of Music and Performing Arts, Austria, and brings her saxophone and composing skills to bear with the Wednesday Night Orchestra.
Toshi Clinch (Vic) offers his unique arrangements of classic Hollywood films to WAYJO in October to close out the Jazz at The Maj season with A Golden Age of Jazz on Film. Following the success of WAYJO’s 2019 concerts, Jazz at the Movies, these reimagined works of Quincy Jones, John Williams and more will be a family favourite.
WAYJO’s guest artist program is proudly supported by the Minderoo Foundation in their second year of partnership with WAYJO.
Punctuating the Homegrown season will be the return of the King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival in 2020. Showcasing the depth of talent in Western Australia, over 50 performances by the state’s emerging and established jazz acts will feature across the three days of the Festival. From big band to smaller intimate ensembles and solo musicians, King Street Corner Pocket is the most accessible and fun way to see multiple acts in the same night in easy walking distance. WAYJO will also present The Debut Collection during the Festival, featuring commissioned works from the company’s Composer-in-Residence program. King Street Corner Pocket is supported by the City of Perth.
The sell-out Jazz for Juniors returns as part of WAYJO’s ongoing Act-Belong-Commit education program, which also features dedicated schools concerts Downstairs at The Maj, and South-West and Geraldton Regional Tours.
Homegrown continues WAYJO’s focus on supporting the growth of jazz in the State and furthering the representation of female artists, with five of the seven guest artists programmed outstanding women in the field.
WAYJO’s 2019 season saw continued audience growth, with the Jazz at the Maj season reaching 92% of ticketed capacity, a 10% increase in audiences at Corner Pocket, and box office targets exceeded by 12%.
WAYJO is the small company that has WA’s arts community buzzing, with an exciting 2020 on the horizon.
WAYJO 2020 Season Overview
His Majesty’s Theatre
Swinging at the Embassy Ballroom
Featuring Anita Wardell and Victoria Newton
March 27
Downstairs at The Maj
"Jazz at The Maj"
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Featuring Kristin Berardi
May 1 & 2
My Favourite Things
Featuring Judy Bailey
June 5 & 6
Come Together (World Premiere)
Featuring Andrew Murray and Mace Francis
July 3 & 4
All or Nothing At All
Featuring Alana Macpherson
September 4 & 5
A Golden Age of Jazz on Film
Featuring Toshi Clinch
October 2 & 3
Jazz for Juniors
April 14-15, July 7-8, September 29-30
King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival
Various Venues around King and Hay Streets, Perth – July 30 to August 1
WAYJO 2020 Sponsors
Government Partner Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries & Lotterywest
Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas
Guest Artist Partner The Minderoo Foundation
Education and Regional Tour Partner Healthway
Naming Rights Partner Monday Night Orchestra MinterEllison
Major Partner St John of God Health Care
Offical Partner Gerard Daniels
Hotel Partner InterContinental City Centre Perth
Festival Partner City of Perth
Venue Partners His Majesty’s Theatre & West Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Supporting Partners Minuteman Press Perth, City of Perth Parking, ActivIT & RTR FM 92.1
Media Contact
Simon Keen, WAYJO General Manager
simon.keen@wayjo.com
0407 990 483
WAYJO celebrates 10,000 patrons to His Majesty’s Theatre
WAYJO is delighted to announce that today the 10,000th ticket was issued to performances and events at His Majesty’s Theatre since they commenced their regular programming at the venue in 2017.
WAYJO’s annual ticketed program held Downstairs at The Maj features guest artists from around Australia and the world, including some of the world’s best jazz practitioners and offering outstanding experiences for young musicians to work with these artists.
The 2018 program, Women in Jazz, featured almost exclusively female guest artists, while the 2019 season, An American Jazz Story, has seen six out of the first seven performances played to sold-out houses.
Debuting in 2017, Jazz for Juniors, a program of concerts aimed at under 7 year olds and their carers, has achieved similar success, with many sold out performances. Meanwhile, WAYJO’s Education Concerts and Workshops, held Downstairs at the Maj, have allowed local students to gain an insight into the work of visiting guest artists and big band jazz music.
The King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, debuting in 2018 as part of WAYJO’s 35th anniversary celebrations, saw His Majesty’s Theatre as the central hub for this fringe-style event with over 3,000 tickets issued for the festival each year. Downstairs at the Maj, the Dress Circle Bar, and Barre Café all hosted events during the Festival which featured the best of Perth’s emerging and established jazz talent.
WAYJO General Manager Simon Keen said audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre had embraced WAYJO’s presence at the venue, generating opportunities for the company to develop new funding streams and a wider reach.
“The opportunity for us to perform at this iconic Western Australian venue has opened doors in many ways, allowing us to build our programs, host donors, deliver engaging and exciting guest artist programs and develop our young musicians,” he said.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to the staff at The Maj for all of their support.”
Lloyd Smith, WAYJO Chair said: “The WAYJO Board greatly appreciates the support of our sponsors, donors, and attendees, in particular the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. As WAYJO’s annual audiences have more than quadrupled, we are proud to be a leading provider of opportunities for young musicians and to see WAYJO take a leadership role as the jazz sector provides accessible and affordable live music experiences in Perth.”
WAYJO’s program of events at His Majesty’s Theatre continues until November this year. Plans for the 2020 season are well underway with the theme of Homegrown at the core, with a focus on bringing the best Western Australian and Australian talent working interstate and overseas to Perth to work with our musicians across the season.
Media Contact
Simon Keen, WAYJO General Manager
simon.keen@wayjo.com
+61 (0)407 990 483
Seasons Greetings from WAYJO
The WAYJO office will be closed for the holiday season from Monday 17 December, and reopens for 2019 Wednesday 9 January.
From everyone at WAYJO, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support during an incredibly busy year of jazz.
WAYJO produced around 100 ticketed performances throughout the year, and attendance of our 2018 season program reached over 8,000 - a remarkable achievement from a lean team of just three office staff.
Here’s wishing you and yours a festive holiday season. We sincerely hope to see you at our shows next year - check out our offerings for 2019 at wayjo.com/season
WAYJO Announces 2019 Season
WAYJO Announces 2019 Season
The West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) launches its 2019 season with a focus on the birthplace of jazz, the USA, welcoming celebrated international guest artists.
The 2019 annual program has the theme of “An American Jazz Story”, with all core events focused on a different American theme, whether it’s a city and style or a celebration of composers and songs.
Jazz at The Maj returns from April to November, featuring stunning concerts in the beautifully intimate Downstairs at the Maj. The season kicks off in April with a celebration of The Great American Songbook, hot on the heels of the 2018 sell-out “Ladies Sing the Blues” and delivering a night of the best sung jazz standards.
In May, WAYJO welcomes trombonist Mariel Bildsten (USA) to perform Dixieland Stomp, a riotous journey through New Orleans style jazz. Ms Bildsten last appeared in Perth as part of the Evan Sherman Big Band (Perth Festival, 2017).
July sees WAYJO visit Detroit in Jazz with a Touch of Motown as they celebrate the Motor City’s storied contribution to jazz.
In a huge coup for the company, Dick Oatts performs with WAYJO in August for Central Park North, a tribute to jazz from New York City. Mr Oatts is the Artistic Director and lead alto saxophone player with the fabled Vanguard Orchestra, and these concerts will be a highlight of the year.
September sees WAYJO working with Iain Robbie, Steve Richter and Adolfo Chavez, popular local artists known for their Latin style in The Afro Cuban Explosion. Miami Cuban jazz will have audiences dancing in their seats to infectious rhythms and percussion.
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love opens in October as WAYJO dedicates a night to the bluesy style of Chicago’s jazz scene.
Jazz at The Maj concludes in November with Jazz at the Movies, presenting favourites and surprising compositions from Hollywood, from The Pink Panther theme to The Incredibles for all the family to enjoy.
WAYJO’s annual gala event at the Astor Theatre returns in June with Vegas, Baby!. A night of big band show tunes made popular in the old Vegas rat-pack style will pack houses.
Jazz Under the Stars closes out the year at the stunning Quarry Amphitheatre featuring all three of WAYJO’s 18-piece big bands.
The sell-out Jazz for Juniors returns as part of WAYJO’s ongoing education program.
The 2019 season will continue WAYJO’s growth as a company. From 1,500 ticketed attendances in 2016, WAYJO’s program has grown to attract over 8,000 attendees in 2018.
WAYJO is the small company that has WA’s arts community buzzing with an exciting 2019 on the horizon.
WAYJO 2019 Season Overview
Jazz at The Maj
Downstairs at His Majesty's Theatre - April to November
The Great American Songbook
April 5-6
Dixieland Stomp featuring Mariel Bildsten (USA)
May 3-4
Jazz with a Touch of Motown
July 5-6
Central Park North featuring Dick Oatts (USA)
August 2-3
The Afro-Cuban Explosion
September 6-7
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
October 4-5
Jazz at the Movies
November 8-9
Jazz for Juniors
His Majesty’s Theatre - April 16-17, July 9-10, & October 1-2
Vegas, Baby!
Astor Theatre - June 1
The Debut Collection
The Ellington Jazz Club – June 22
The Artemis Project
The Ellington Jazz Club – October 19
Jazz Under the Stars
Quarry Amphitheatre - November 22
WAYJO Creative Partnerships Matched Funding
WAYJO Plus1 Matched Funding
Dollar-for-Dollar Matched Donations through Creative Partnerships Australia
We’ve been lucky enough to secure a place in Creative Partnerships Australia’s Plus1 program. Donate now and have your contribution matched dollar-for-dollar!
In 2018, we have a focus on Women in Jazz, building the profile of female jazz artists and showcasing their talents.
Donating directly to this program will cover artist fees, transport from Australia and overseas, and accommodation. And the best part is, every donation will be matched to a maximum of $25,000.
Our program of guest artists will be announced at our Jazz Under the Stars concert on November 24, but donate now to get in on the ground floor of this exciting program in 2018.
To donate, please visit givenow.com.au/WAYJOWomeninJazz - matched contributions close Fri 18 May.
WAYJO's Women in Jazz 2018 Season is supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1.
Find out more about Plus1 Funding at creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au
Thank You To Lotterywest
The good news has started early in 2017.
WAYJO have been fortunate to secure a grant from Lotterywest to purchase a range of equipment to help us deliver our program.
Best of all, this grant allows us to purchase some new equipment for the bands, from amps and music stands to microphones, as well as – and we’re a little pumped about this – a bunch of kids instruments to take to our Jazz for Juniors concerts.
Every year Lotterywest grants millions of dollars to over 1,000 community organisations, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.
Members of WAYJO also had great fun being part of the new ‘A Lot Happens When You Play’ advertisement campaign, check out the press below!
Lotterywest Screen Advertisement
Lotterywest Print Advertisement – The West Australian
Welcome To Our New Website
Welcome to our new website!
We’ve been beavering away behind the scenes for a few months now to create a fresh new look for WAYJO, and we’re pretty excited by our new branding and web platform.
Our focus this year is on recognising our band members with our #facesofwayjo campaign… look out for the great images shot by Tom Greble as we promote our shows.
We’re also keen to get the word out that WAYJO is all about “Big Bands, Big Sound, Big Talent”. We think that reflects everything that is great about WAYJO and our musicians and is the start of our members musical story.
Big thanks to Digital Union for their help with our new branding and website. Let us know what you think.
Here’s to a sensational 2017.
Simon Keen
General Manager, WAYJO