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
Sarah McKenzie reunites with WAYJO
WAYJO is excited to collaborate with the Perth International Jazz Festival to bring the acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and singer Sarah McKenzie (USA) back to Perth as part of her Australian tour.
Sarah has recently released her sixth album of Brazilian-inspired jazz titled ‘Without You,’ blending “inventive reworkings of classic songs from (Antonio Carlos) Jobim and others with four of McKenzie’s original compositions” – Jazzwise ★★★★
James Morrison has described her as a “once-in-a-generation talent and music marvel.” Her pronounced lyrical sense of swing has drawn comparisons to Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.
“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 perform over two nights at the Liberty Theatre in the heart of Perth. Tucked away on Barrack Street, the Liberty Theatre opened as Perth’s first art house cinema in 1954. Rarely open to the public, these performances offer a unique opportunity to experience live jazz music in a vintage architectural gem.
On Friday, May 10, Sarah will be joined by renowned Perth-based jazz musicians Kristian Borring (guitar), Nick Abbey (bass), and Pete Evans (drums) for an intimate performance. Then on Saturday, May 11, WAYJO’s 18-piece Monday Night Orchestra bring the big band energy, with bold brass and bass sections to accompany her smooth Brazilian jazz songs and soulful ballads.
This is also a special reunion between Sarah and WAYJO, while she was born in Melbourne, she studied at the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and WAYJO is proud to call her an alum. In fact, the last time she performed with WAYJO was in 2012 with Mike Stewart, before she relocated to America when she was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston.
Jazz afficionados and admirers of classic Brazilian tracks such as Jobim’s ‘Corcovado’ (Quiet Nights), ‘Once I Loved,’ and ‘The Girl From Ipanema,’ shouldn’t miss these performances of what Peter Quinn at Jazzwise calls “the most bittersweet gems in the Jobim canon.”
Homecoming: A Celebration of WA Jazz History [SOLD-OUT]
Please note this event is sold out. Door sales will not be available on the night but we encourage you to join the waitlist to be notified if tickets become available. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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Celebrate 50 years of the Perth Jazz Society (PJS) and 40 years of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) with this one-off concert and heritage event celebrating the history of West Australian jazz.
Join legends of WA jazz as they pay homage to the local scene. Discover how these organisations have driven the scenes development in an event that intermingles live music, videos and historical asides.
This event includes an eclectic live set of important WA jazz compositions that chart the jazz scene’s evolution. It will also highlight its history through the launch of newly-recorded video interviews with some of the people behind the PJS and WAYJO.
Physical materials and ephemera relating to the history of each organisation will also be on display.
This event runs outside the Library’s opening hours. Access will be provided from the entrance to the building from the Perth Cultural Centre at 6:30pm. Please note that the Francis St. entrance to the building will be closed.
Homecoming: A Celebration of WA Jazz History
6:30pm – 8:30pm, Saturday 9 December 2023
State Library of Western Australia
Admission: $10-$15
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Swingin' at St Stephen's
WAYJO presents Swingin’ at St Stephen’s, proudly supported by St Stephen’s School.
From high school jazz musician to WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) member and beyond, join us for a night of swingin’ classics as we celebrate WAYJO’s Pathways Program and its ongoing relationship with St Stephen’s School in the development of young jazz musicians in WA.
Featuring WAYJO’s MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra with special guest artist David Theak (NSW) and support from WAYJO’s Northern Corridor Band and St Stephen’s Swing Band, these three big bands will be performing the music of the greats including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and more at St Stephen’s School’s state-of-the-art performance venue in Duncraig.
In national recognition of WAYJO’s Act Belong Commit Pathways Program made up of ‘Progressions’ for female-identifying and non-binary instrumentalists as well as the ‘Northern Corridor Band’, a high-school based big band that attracts students from Perth’s northern corridor and as far as Mandurah, Rockingham and Byford to rehearse at St Stephen’s School in Duncraig; the Pathways program was recently nominated as a finalist in the prestigious Art Music Awards for Excellence in Music Education for 2022.
Providing inspiration and opportunity for students to perform and develop, on the night they’ll be joined by a special guest – accomplished saxophonist David Theak, who is head of Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium, co-artistic director of the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and artistic director of the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Festival.
Don’t miss the special evening of vintage rhythms and timeless classics as WAYJO presents Swingin’ at St Stephen’s, proudly supported by St Stephen’s School.
WAYJO thanks Government Partner the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas, Major Programs Partner Minderoo Foundation, MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, City of Joondalup and Healthway Act-Belong-Commit for their continued support.
Swingin’ at St Stephen’s
7:30pm – 9:30pm, Friday 15 September
St Stephen’s School Theatre, Duncraig
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WAYJO's 40th Anniversary Concert & Festival
You’re invited to the jazz party of the year as WAYJO turns 40!
With thousands of events under its belt and a special place in many a WA musician’s hearts and memories, WAYJO is marking the occasion in style – bringing together Perth’s biggest jazz names alongside future stars of the Australian jazz scene for one special weekend at the State Theatre Centre’s Studio Underground and Foyer.
Join us as we celebrate WAYJO’s 40-year history and look towards the future of jazz!
40th Anniversary Concert
The celebrations begin with a Gala performance on Friday evening featuring WAYJO big bands alongside special guest alumni including Perth’s premier jazz vocalist, Libby Hammer, the versatile trombonist Catherine Noblet, the accomplished saxophonist Gemma Farrell, and the elegant vocalist Lucy Iffla.
On the big night, all three bands – MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, and Wednesday Night Orchestra – will take to the stage to perform commissioned works, band and fan favourites, and classic big band jazz repertoire.
WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Concert
7:30pm, Friday 26 May
Studio Underground
40th Anniversary Festival
Then on Saturday, take a trip down memory lane and immerse yourself in our mini festival hub of in-conversations, small group jazz ensembles, historic photo displays, alumni appearances, and big band performances.
Be transported through time as all three big bands celebrate the greats playing classic big band jazz, music from the depths of the WAYJO library, and a line-up that traces jazz through to contemporary, translating be-bop to hip-hop.
With guest artists Jamie Oehlers, Libby Hammer, and Zero Emcee, this is an event not to be missed.
WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Festival
4pm – 10pm, Saturday 27 May
Studio Underground
Perth International Jazz Festival 2022
Perth International Jazz Festival invites you into the urban jungle of Forrest Place for a weekend of exciting live music from WAAPA and WAYJO ensembles, plus a special performance from festival director Mace Francis and his Orchestra.
Located within the Perth CBD, Forrest Place is a pedestrian-friendly, open square connecting Perth Railway Station on Wellington Street with the Murray Street Mall. It sits just outside Forrest Chase (with 33 food, fashion, beauty, entertainment retailers!), and is a stone’s throw away from some of Perth’s major shopping destinations.
From 12pm to 5pm on Saturday November 5th, Forrest Place will be alive with music, plus engaging panel discussions from some of our PIJF artists.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly, totally FREE event, come on down!
Schedule
12:00pm: WAYJO plays the music of Emiliano Sampaio (BRAZIL)
Guest Artist Emiliano Sampaio from Brazil appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation
1:15pm: Mace Francis Orchestra
2:30pm: Will Vinson with the WAAPA Big Band
3:45pm: WAAPA Mingus Ensemble
5:00pm: WAAPA Graduating Collective
The Trombone: Big Band Backbone
Trombones are the backbone of the big band, providing the harmonic foundation, the brassy punch and the guts of the band.
This concert features three of WA’s finest trombonists and WAYJO alumni. Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet and Will Pethick all served in different eras of WAYJO, coming together to showcase the instrument Beethoven once described as “The voice of God” – you be the judge.
Guest artists appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.
Photograph Josh Wells (2021 WAYJO show)
Please note – WAYJO also present a 1-hour schools concert-workshop;
The Trombone: Big Band Backbone – Act Belong Commit Concert
WAYJO NC Pathways Program Training Band and WAYJO St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra
Fri 16 September, 6.30pm
Prendiville Catholic College, Ocean Reef
The Trombone: Big Band Backbone - Act Belong Commit Concert
The WAYJO NC Pathways Program Training Band and WAYJO St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Featuring Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet and Will Pethick
Trombones are the backbone of the big band, providing the harmonic foundation, the brassy punch and the guts of the band.
This concert features three of WA’s finest trombonists and WAYJO alumni. Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet and Will Pethick all served in different eras of WAYJO, coming together to showcase the instrument Beethoven once described as “The voice of God” – you be the judge.
This 1-hour Act Belong Commit Concert offers students and teachers behind the scenes insights into jazz composition and performance, with ample opportunity to ask questions of our professional Music Directors, orchestra members and guest artists.
Guest artists appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.
WAYJO’s Pathways Education Program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message, and our Major Partner Minderoo Foundation
Photograph Josh Wells (2021)
WAYJO Slides into Subiaco with a Trombone Showcase
The WAYJO St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra present a special show featuring one of the big band’s oldest instruments, Saturday 17 September, Subiaco Arts Centre.
The trombone, invented mid 15th century, derives its name comes from the Italian tromba (trumpet) plus the suffix -one (big) – meaning big trumpet. The WAYJO TNO will be joined by three of WA’s finest trombonists, who are also WAYJO alumni. Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet and Will Pethick all served in different eras of WAYJO, coming together for one night only to showcase the instrument.
Jeremy Greig is a trombonist, diploma of music co-ordinator and lecturer in Jazz at WAAPA. He has a Bachelor of music from Edith Cowan University and a master of Music from University of Miami. He has lived and performed in the USA and performed with the likes of Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Barry Gibb (Bee Gees), Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, Don Rickles, Wayne Newton, and Wynton Marsalis.
Catherine Noblet is an Australian jazz trombonist from Perth. A WAAPA graduate, she has studied and worked as a freelance musician in Perth and the US. She completed her Master of Music at the University of Illinois, studying with legendary trombonist, Jim Pugh. She now resides in Perth as a freelance musician and a regular member of the Mace Francis Orchestra, Straight Ahead Big Band, Amnesiacs, and The Western Australian Jazz Project.
Will Pethick was a member of WAYJO in 2021 who previously studied at the James Morrison Academy in South Australia. Selected to be a part of the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra last year, Will performed with Will Vinson in the 2021 Sydney Con Jazz Festival. Now back in Perth, he performs locally with The Western Australian Jazz Project, Perth Symphony Orchestra and more.
Trombones are the backbone of the big band, providing the harmonic foundation, the brassy punch and the guts of the band. Come along and enjoy this ‘sackbut’ showcase – an instrument Beethoven once described as “The voice of God” – you be the judge!
Guest artists appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2022 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.
WAYJO presents The Trombone: Big Band Backbone
St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, plus trombonists Jeremy Greig, Catherine Noblet & Will Pethick
Sat 17 September, 7.30pm
Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco
Tickets artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/wayjo
WAYJO also present a 1-hour Act Belong Commit concert-workshop for schools, Fri 16 September, 6.30pm, at Prendiville Catholic College in Ocean Reef – head to wayjo.com/education/concert-for-schools for details.
Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #SubiJazz #Trombone
Photography: B&W WAYJO Trombones (2021) & Jeremy Greig by Josh Wells – Catherine Noblet by Deprimo – Will Pethick by WAAPA
Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
WAYJO presents 'Taint What You Do
WAYJO presents ‘Taint What You Do
A Swinging Night of Dance Music at The Rechabite
Two of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) bands are heading to The Rechabite Hall Sunday 21 August for a night of big band swing.
The WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra are in fine form, appearing fresh from a sell-out show in July, plus very well received Act Belong Commit Regional Tour appearances in Margaret River and Bunbury early August.
The WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra also return to The Rechabite to perform a swinging set, hailing the charm and splendour that were live dance band evenings of yesteryear.
This relaxed Sunday evening show is perfect for dancers of all ages and abilities, plus families wishing to enjoy classic jazz inspired by the big bands of the 1930s to the 1960s.
Dress up and step out in style on this amazing wooden dance floor, along with the local swing dancing community. Be sure to get your tickets before they swing out the door.
WAYJO presents ‘Taint What You Do
MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra & WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra
Sun 21 August, 7.30pm
The Rechabite, Northbridge
Tickets wayjo.com
WAYJO has chosen to use Humanitix for our 2022 ticketed season.
Humanitix are a registered charity offering 100% of profits from booking fees toward education programs for Young Girls and scholarships for Indigenous Australians.
Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #RechabiteJazz
Photograph: Josh Wells (Speakeasy 2021)
Media Contact:
Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
