The Golden Age of Swing - SOLD OUT

The 1930s were the Golden Age of Swing and the height of jazz as popular music. The clarinet was the instrument that shot Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman into stardom and cemented them into jazz history.

Adrian Galante, Perth’s very own clarinet superstar, performs swing classics like ‘Begin the Beguine’, ‘Flying Home’, and ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ with the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra.

Adrian appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

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Tickets to our popular 1-hour Act Belong Commit Jazz at The Maj for Schools concert-workshops are just $15 (+bf) per student or teacher/parent (receive 1 complimentary ticket per 9 purchased).

To book school shows, please phone Perth Theatre Trust group bookings on 6212 9291, or email groups@ptt.wa.gov.au

Friday 11 June, 3.00pm: Basie and Beyond, A Journey into Jazz
Friday 6 August, 3.00pm: The Golden Age of Swing

The WAYJO Education Program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message.


Clarinet Virtuoso Adrian Galante Swings with WAYJO, August 6-7

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) are proud to present a show of swinging big band jazz with special guest clarinet virtuoso Adrian Galante, Downstairs at His Majesty’s Theatre, 6-7 August.

The 1930s were the Golden Age of Swing and the height of jazz as popular music. The clarinet was the instrument that shot Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman into stardom and cemented them into jazz history.

Adrian Galante, Perth’s very own clarinet superstar, performs swing classics like ‘Begin the Beguine’, ‘Flying Home’, and ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ with the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra.

“The swinging sounds of the big band era is what began my love of jazz when I was a child…” states Adrian. “At that time I had just started playing the clarinet and was utterly enamoured by the sounds of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and all the wonderful bands of the period.

It is not often that I get to play this repertoire, so I am very excited to be revisiting some of the wonderful arrangements that first sparked my love of jazz all those years ago, and to be working with the wonderful young talents of the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra.”

Don’t miss this concert set to impress discerning swing jazz enthusiasts, and fans of slick liquorice stick licks!

Adrian appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

What people are saying about Adrian’s playing; 
“This young man is one of those musicians you can’t ignore; he commands the attention of both audience and fellow performers alike with his prodigious technique and flair for presentation. Mostly one must choose between hearing a serious musician or experiencing someone who can connect with the audience, Adrian is that rare person who understands the ‘performing’ part of performing arts without any compromise in musicianship or passion for the music.” – Jazz Trumpeter, James Morrison.

WAYJO presents The Golden Age of Swing
MinterEllison MNO with special guest Adrian Galante
Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 7.30pm
Downstairs at The Maj, Perth | Tickets ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #JazzAtTheMaj #GoldenAgeOfSwing


Act Belong Commit Jazz at The Maj for Schools

Students and teachers may also enjoy a special 1-hour school concert-workshop with Adrian, Friday 6 August, 3.00pm.
School workshops are great value at just $15 (+bf) per student or teacher/parent – plus you receive 1 complimentary ticket per 9 purchased. School bookings can only be made by calling Perth Theatre Trust group bookings on 6212 9291, or email groups@ptt.wa.gov.au

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #ActBelongCommit #JazzSchool #GoldenAgeOfSwing


Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

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The Golden Age Of Swing 6-7 Aug

Kate Pass: Kohesia & the Far East Suite

Kate Pass has forged a musical style and genre unto itself.

Blending jazz and Persian musical influences, Kate has been able to create something new, refreshing and very exciting.
WAYJO are proud to have commissioned Kate (WAYJO member 2009/10 & 2014), and now work to expand those ideas for the WNO.

We welcome Kate and Kohesia, a unique ensemble drawing upon aspects of the Persian Dastgah system and elements of the Jazz tradition.

Enjoy this very special cross-cultural collaboration in one night not to be missed.

Kate and the Kohesia Ensemble appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation

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Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble

Let WAYJO Take You on a Sonic Persian Carpet Ride in July

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) hits The Rechabite Hall, Saturday 10th July, with exciting newly commissioned works featuring special guests Kate Pass & the Kohesia Ensemble.

Blending jazz & Persian musical influences, Kate Pass has created something new, refreshing & very exciting. Kohesia Ensemble bring elements of the Persian Dastgah musical system in a special night of cross-cultural collaboration & freshly commissioned work simply not to be missed.

Kate Pass – Kohesia & the Far East Suite will explore non-western time structures and microtonal melodies, combining the sounds of Persian flute (ney), percussion (daf), lute (saz) and oud with 18-piece jazz orchestra for a truly unique experience.

WAYJO are proud to have commissioned Kate (WAYJO member 2009/10 & 2014), to now expand her ideas for big band with the Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO).

I’m really excited to collaborate with Wednesday Night orchestra on this project” says Kate. “Being an alumni WAYJO band member myself, it’s truly an honour to be commissioned to write for the band.

The program will feature several members of Kohesia Ensemble, including Esfandiar Shahmir on ney, Reza Mirzaei on saz, and Mike Zolker on oud.

I think this is the first time this combination of instruments has been joined by a big band, so it’s an incredible opportunity to create something new and unique. It’s also an opportunity for the members of Kohesia ensemble and myself to explore a different tonal palette.

The instruments of Wednesday Night Orchestra provide a wonderful variety of colours and textures, that allow us to re-imagine the Kohesia Ensemble sound, and expand upon our ideas in a way we haven’t done before.”

Tickets for this show are on sale through Humanitix, a registered charity offering 100% of profits from booking fees towards education programs for Young Girls, and scholarships for Indigenous Australians… yet another great reason to see this show.

Kate and the Kohesia Ensemble appear thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

WAYJO presents Kate Pass: Kohesia & the Far East Suite
Sat 10 Jul, 7.30pm
WAYJO WNO, with special guests Kate Pass and the Kohesia Ensemble
The Rechabite, Northbridge | Tickets wayjo.com

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #RechabiteJazz #KatePassKohesia

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

Photo of Kohesia Enemble by Josh Wells

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Kate Pass Kohesia & the Far East Suite

Basie & Beyond

Let WAYJO take you on a bold jazz journey from Basie and into the big band beyond…

Enjoy classic big band repertoire, artfully paired with reinvented contemporary jazz standards, plus the premiere of exciting commissions by Downbeat award-winning composer and arranger Alana Macpherson (WAYJO member 2010, 2012-17) on her recent return from Austria.

Alana’s music is inspired by the composer’s reflections on Australia, composed during several lockdowns in Europe throughout 2020.

There’s something for all contemporary and jazz music fans in this bold big band program that’s simply not to be missed!

Alana appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

 

 


Tickets to our popular 1-hour Act Belong Commit Jazz at The Maj for Schools concert-workshops are just $15 (+bf) per student or teacher/parent (receive 1 complimentary ticket per 9 purchased).
To book school shows, please phone Perth Theatre Trust group bookings on 6212 9291, or email groups@ptt.wa.gov.au

Friday 11 June, 3.00pm: Basie and Beyond, A Journey into Jazz
Friday 6 August, 3.00pm: The Golden Age of Swing

Buy Tickets

Classic, Contemporary & Commissioned Jazz in June

WAYJO are back with Jazz at The Maj, presenting Basie & Beyond – A Journey Through Jazz Downstairs at The Maj 11-12 June.

Let WAYJO take you on a bold jazz journey from Basie and into the big band beyond! Enjoy classic jazz repertoire, artfully paired with reinvented contemporary standards, presented by the WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra (MNO). The second half features the Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO) premiering exciting new works by WAYJO alumni Alana Macpherson, commissioned by the Minderoo Foundation.

WNO bring to life a set of all new music by the Downbeat award-winning composer and arranger. The music, inspired by the composer’s reflections on Australia, was composed during several lockdowns in Europe throughout 2020. This is a unique opportunity to see Alana Macpherson in action shaping the music that was composed specifically for the orchestra.

Alana is a Perth born is a saxophonist and composer currently based in Graz, Austria. Following the 2019 release of her debut album “All or Nothing At All”, Macpherson won the Downbeat Student Music Award for Large Ensemble Arrangement, as well as the 2018 WAM awards for “Best Brass/Woodwind/Strings Instrumentalist” and “Best Live Jazz Act”. She has toured with Emil Spanyi (Hungary), performed with the Vine Street Horns (Phil Collins), KUG Jazz Orchestra, Graz Composer’s Orchestra, James Morrison Big Band, and the Evan Sherman Big Band, among others. Macpherson has performed her works at the Perth International Jazz Festival, King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, and Jazzwerkstatt Festival (Austria).

There’s something for all contemporary and jazz music fans in this bold big band program simply not to be missed.

Tickets to all Jazz at The Maj shows, including the The Golden Age of Swing in August, are available from ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo

Alana appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

What people are saying about Alana’s Music;
“Alana is not only is an excellent saxophone player, but she is finding her own unique voice as a composer, arranger and band-leader. She’s a fan of Bob Brookmeyer’s music and you can hear a clear continuation of his concepts in her writing.” – Ed Partyka 2019

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #JazzAtTheMaj #BasieAndBeyond


Act Belong Commit Jazz at The Maj for Schools

Students and teachers may also enjoy a special 1-hour school concert-workshop with Alana, Friday 11 June, 3.00pm.
School workshops are great value at just $15 (+bf) per student or teacher/parent – plus you receive 1 complimentary ticket per 9 purchased. School bookings can only be made by calling Perth Theatre Trust group bookings on 6212 9291, or email groups@ptt.wa.gov.au

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #ActBelongCommit #JazzSchool #BasieAndBeyond


Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

Photos by Simon Reithofer, Reithofer Media


Oh, Lady Be Good

** Downstairs at The Maj is a ticketed <1,000 person seated venue - so advisories permitting, this concert will proceed. **

Please remember to wear a mask until 12.01am Saturday 8 May, and check-in to the COVID-19 Contact Register at the venue.

Keep up with all the latest official advisories at the wa.gov.au website.

In the event of any cancelled shows, ticket holders are assured refunds will be available.

Take a Quickstep back into a bygone era of style and glamour! Join Victoria Newton (WAYJO member 1987-89), the WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra plus all three of their band vocalists, for this songful showcase of beloved big band music.

Victoria has serenaded audiences across the world with her style, technique and humour. Now head of jazz voice at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she’s worked the London jazz scene, collaborated with Acid-Jazz legend the late Ronny Jordan, and supported Terence Blanchard at the Jazz Café with her quartet.

Victoria appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

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Make Mother’s Day with Jazz at The Maj – Oh, Lady Be Good!

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) are excited to return to His Majesty’s Theatre for 2021.

Opening a season of three Jazz at The Maj shows for the year, Oh, Lady Be Good makes a songful entrance Downstairs at The Maj 7-8 Mayjust in time for the Mother’s Day weekend.

Take a Quickstep back into a bygone era of style and glamour! Join special guest vocalist Victoria Newton (WAYJO member 1987-89), the WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra plus all three of the big band vocalists, for this showcase of beloved big band vocal repertoire.

Victoria has serenaded audiences across the world with her style, technique and humour. Now head of jazz voice at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she’s worked the London jazz scene, collaborated with Acid-Jazz legend the late Ronny Jordan, and supported Terence Blanchard at the Jazz Café with her quartet.

Enjoy this show at the historic Greenwich Club site – now Downstairs at The Maj – nestled beneath Perth’s iconic His Majesty’s Theatre. Escape the hustle and bustle of the CBD to indulge in the relaxed and revamped Downstairs Bar, with cosy cabaret-style seating, plus fascinating foyer displays from the Museum of Performing Arts Collection.

WAYJO’s last show at The Maj was a sell-out, so best book those tickets soon - and don’t forget to treat Mum too!

You can subscribe & save $10 per adult priced ticket by purchasing all three WAYJO Jazz at The Maj shows in the same transaction; 7-8 May: Oh, Lady Be Good | 11-12 June: Basie & Beyond | 6-7 August: The Golden Age of Swing - head to ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo

Victoria appears thanks to WAYJO’s 2021 Major Programs Partner, Minderoo Foundation.

What people are saying about Victoria;
“A fabulous strong clear voice with a great sense of time and an even greater sense of fun!” - Steve Rubie, 606 Club, London
“Deeply into the music, a real jazz singer” - Brian Blain, Jazz UK
“A jazz singer a cut above the crowd” - John Fordham, The Guardian, UK

Hashtags: #WAYJO2021 #JazzAtTheMaj #OhLadyBeGood

Media Contact:
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

 

WAYJO presents Oh Lady Be Good, 7-8 May. Tickets ptt.wa.gov.au/wayjo

WAYJO presents Gemma Farrell Quartet Live at Lyric’s Underground

The Gemma Farrell Quintet was formed when she moved back to Perth in 2013, after six years away. The group had their debut performance for the Perth Jazz Society at the Perth International Jazz Festival in 2015. Launching their debut album in June 2018 'Organised Chaos' - the album featured on RTRFM as the local feature album, and the group nominated for Best Jazz Act at the 2018 WAM awards.

The quartet has performed around Perth, at the 2018 and 2019 Perth International Jazz Festival, as well as In The Pines 2019, and the 2019 King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival. 'Organised Chaos' was nominated for Best Instrumental Jazz Album at the 2019 Australian Jazz Bell Awards and the track 'Be Like Abraham' was nominated for Best Jazz Work of the Year. The group was also nominated for Best Jazz Act at the 2019 WAM awards. In November 2019, the group toured Australia, performing at the Sydney Women's International Jazz Festival, Jazz Music Institute Brisbane and the Jazzlab Melbourne.

Enjoy a night of new original material in the lead up to their highly anticipated second album release.

The Gemma Farrell Quartet are:
Gemma Farrell - Saxophones
Sam Hadlow - Trombone
Dan Garner - Guitar
Kate Pass - Bass
Ryan Daunt - Drums

Band Set 6.00pm
Open Jam Session 7.20pm

Check out the vibe of this band
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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.


Linda May Han Oh - Bass

Linda May Han Oh with the WAYJO WNO - Perth International Jazz Festival 2020

International bass player Linda May Han Oh returns from the US to perform with WAYJO for one night only.

Departing Perth 15 years ago, Linda has toured and performed with the biggest names in jazz, most notably as the current member of the Pat Metheny Quartet.

Linda performs newly commissioned music for the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra, a band she used to perform in with current musical director Mace Francis. WAYJO is very proud to present this special night of new works, and to be performing with Linda again.

Linda May Han Oh will be performing thanks to WAYJO’s 2020 Guest Artist Partner, the Minderoo Foundation.

Linda May Han Oh
with the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra, directed by Dr Mace Francis
Sunday 8 Nov, 4.00pm
The Rechabite (Main Hall), Northbridge
Limited tickets only from Moshtix

$27.49 Standard
$22.39 Concession

Receive a 15% discount when purchasing 3 PIJF performances at The Rechabite in one transaction

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