It’s an exciting new chapter in WAYJO’s story, as we launch the 2025 season under the leadership of our new Artistic Director, saxophonist, composer, and educator Gemma Farrell.

This season, we’re putting the spotlight on local guest artists, showcasing some of the most incredible talent right here in WA. Throughout the year, our Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Night Orchestras will collaborate with an incredible lineup of special guests, perform in a variety of venues, and tour both locally and internationally.

One of the highlights will be our Wednesday Night Orchestra show at the newly restored Como Theatre, featuring violinist Emily Gelineau. This concert is extra special as it celebrates the reopening of the historic Como Theatre, which dates back to the 1930s and has been closed for renovation since 2021. It’s a stunning venue, and we can’t wait to fill it with music.

At The Rechabite, audiences can look forward to two concerts: the return of Havana Nights! – a popular Latin Showcase with powerhouse percussionists Steve Richter and Marcus Perrozzi alongside vocalist Adolfo Chavez, and our annual Vocal Showcase featuring Victoria Newton and all three of WAYJO’s talented vocalists.

Over at The Ellington Jazz Club, the Monday Night Orchestra will share the stage with guitarist Ray Walker, one of last year’s recipients of the WA State Cultural Treasures Award. Ray is a legend in the WA jazz scene, and we’re honoured to have him perform with us.

Beyond these performances, some of our musicians will be heading out on the road. A group of WAYJO band members will be travelling to Narrogin Senior High School to run workshops with students, alongside Noongar/Jingili rapper ZERO Emcee. And in October, six of our band members will be traveling to Tokyo for an exciting exchange program with Showa University. Together with six Showa University students, they’ll form a combined band called SHOWAYJO, co-directed by Gemma Farrell and Showa’s Masa Ikeda. It’s a truly special experience, and we can’t wait to see this cross-cultural collaboration come to life.

Education is at the heart of what we do. In Term 3, we continue our award-nominated Progressions program for young musicians of marginalised genders, ending with a showcase performance at The Ellington. Our Northern Corridor Training Band returns to The Ellington in June, and both programs will feature in our Pathways Jam at Lyric Lane Courtyard in September—a chance for these young musicians to jam and connect with each other.

WAYJO is a not-for-profit organisation, and we rely on the generosity of our community to keep our programs running. If you’d like to support our ongoing work, consider joining the 240 Club by donating $20 per month or $240 annually. Your support helps us run our concerts, education programs, and community initiatives.

Looking ahead, Gemma Farrell shares her vision: “Jazz, for me, is about inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. My vision is to increase diversity within our bands and create more initiatives that make jazz accessible to marginalised communities. Programs like Progressions are already making an impact, and I’m excited to grow that work further. I believe jazz should be for everyone, and I’m committed to building more opportunities, more access, and a more inclusive jazz community.”

Thanks for your continued support, and we can’t wait to share this incredible season with you.

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