WAYJO’s Best of 2023
WAYJO’s Best of 2023 is the final performance of WAYJO’s 40th year and an opportunity to showcase all three orchestras and their favourite repertoire of the year set at the beautiful the Quarry Amphitheatre on Saturday 18 November.
WAYJO’s Best of 2023
7:30pm – 10pm, Saturday 18 November
Quarry Amphitheatre
BOOK TICKETS
WAYJO’s 40th Festival Weekend
WAYJO’s takes over the Studio Underground and its foyer at the State Theatre Centre of WA to celebrate its 40th year.
Friday night features a Gala performance with all three WAYJO bands with special guest alumni.
On Saturday, WAYJO will transform the Studio Underground and foyer into a mini festival hub of in-conversations, small group jazz ensembles, historic photo displays, alumni appearances, and big band performances.
WAYJO’s 40th Festival Weekend
WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
7:30pm – 10pm, Friday 26 May
Studio Underground
Tickets on sale in April
WAYJO’s 40th Festival
4pm – 10pm, Saturday 27 May
Studio Underground
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The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones
The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones sees guest artist, Tessie Overmyer, one of Sydney’s most exciting emerging jazz alto saxophonists, and the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra playing the music of seminal big band composer Thad Jones, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
In 2020 and 2021, Tessie was selected to play lead alto in the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra and plays lead alto with the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra.
The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones
7:30pm – 9:30pm, Saturday 1 April
Downstairs at The Maj
BOOK TICKETS
The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones
The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones sees guest artist, Tessie Overmyer, one of Sydney’s most exciting emerging jazz alto saxophonists, and the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra playing the music of seminal big band composer Thad Jones, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
In 2020 and 2021, Tessie was selected to play lead alto in the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra and plays lead alto with the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra.
The Groove Merchants: Tessie Overmyer Plays Thad Jones
7:30pm – 9:30pm, Friday 31 March
Fishtrap Theatre, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
BUY TICKETS
WAYJO's 40th Anniversary Season Launch Block Party
WAYJO is celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, and we’re throwing a free Season Launch Block Party to get the festivities started!
Join us at Lyric Lane in Maylands for performances from all three big bands; MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, and Wednesday Night Orchestra.
As well as their swinging sounds, you’ll hear all about our 2023 program, learn about our guest artist touring program, and be the first to know about our upcoming 40th year two-day festival.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the launch of our fourth decade as Australia’s leading youth jazz orchestra!
WAYJO’s 40th Anniversary Season Launch Block Party 2023
3 – 5pm, Sun 5 March 2023
Free event – all invited!
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, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit for their continued support.
WAYJO celebrates 40 years as Australia’s leading youth jazz orchestra
WAYJO is celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, having been at the forefront of forging professional jazz artists aged 14 to 25 since 1983.
To celebrate, we’re throwing a Season Launch Block Party to get the festivities started!
All are welcome to attend this free community event, from 3pm – 5pm on Sunday 5 March at Lyric Lane Laneway in Maylands. The Block Party features sets from the MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra, the St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, and the Wednesday Night Orchestra.
WAYJO's 40-Year Anniversary
WAYJO Artistic Director & Musical Director (and Band Leader of the Wednesday Night Orchestra), Mace Francis, reflected on the 40-year anniversary:
We are honoured to present an annual program that both celebrates WAYJO’s 40 years and gives our musicians the very best big band experiences.
In 2023 we will work with alumni, previous guest artists and future stars of the Australian jazz scene. Perth’s jazz lovers are invited to join us at WAYJO's first performance of the year showcasing all three bands and launching the 2023 40th birthday program.
Over its 40-year history thousands of young musicians have performed with us at over thousands of events. That is an incredible number of young people who have reaped the benefits of everything being in a big band has to offer; teamwork, communication, connection, purpose, inspiration, personal and professional development, passion, and pride. Benefits that are now, more than ever, so important to young people in our ever-disconnected world.
WAYJO holds a very special place in many WA musician’s hearts and memories. It is a place where they not only made great music in a great band but met their musician colleagues, future partners, and lifelong friends. WAYJO changed my life for the better after first joining it as a guitarist in 2001.
The opportunity to rehearse and play amazing jazz repertoire with like-minded musicians on a regular basis is an absolute blessing and WAYJO is so proud to have been able to do this for 40 years.
Each year the young musical talent in this state keeps getting better and better as WAYJO musicians go on to teach, their knowledge and skill development distilled and amplified.
We look forward to connecting young performers and composers with each other for another 40 years to create experiences, friendships and memories that live longer than anyone's time as a member of WAYJO.
-Mace Francis
Head along to our Season Launch on Sunday to be the first to hear the full 2023 program. Alternatively, sign up to our e-news to get it directly to your inbox!
The Best of WAYJO 2022 - SELLING FAST
In a grand finale to the season, WAYJO presents three big bands in one glorious night under the stars in The Best of 2022 at Quarry Amphitheatre, Friday 25 November.
With three big bands presenting all their favourites from the year, tickets represent exceptional value for a fantastic show of diverse jazz to suit everyone’s taste.
These bands have never sounded better after a year of working and touring together. A sell out several years in a row, be sure to book soon!
The Quarry Amphitheatre is one of Perth’s premier outdoor performance venues. Nestled in the tranquil bush setting of Bold Park Reserve, it offers a stunning skyline view. Bring a picnic, choose from the Limestone Cafe menu on the night, or pre-order a picnic hamper, and enjoy a jazz picnic under the stars with friends and family.
Tickets this year are General Admission, so please arrive early for your favourite spot!
Gates 6.30pm
Show 7.30pm
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, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit for their continued support.
Photograph Josh Wells (2021 WAYJO Quarry Amphitheatre show)
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
WAYJO presents Final 2022 Show at Quarry Amphitheatre, 25 November
In a grand finale to their 2022 season, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) presents three big bands in one glorious night under the stars in The Best of 2022 at Quarry Amphitheatre, Friday 25 November.
“The band members have put in their votes for their favourite music that they have played throughout 2022” says WAYJO’s Artistic Director Dr Mace Francis. “They have selected some music from each concert and project including two new pieces commissioned as part of the Composer in Residence program.”
“The Wednesday Night Orchestra’s set will take you through music from the great swingin’ big band era of the 1940 to music composed in July this year!”
With three big bands on stage for one night only, tickets represent exceptional value for a fantastic show of diverse jazz to suit everyone’s taste.
WAYJO’s MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra toured Margaret River and Bunbury in August. “The MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra will be selecting repertoire from their shows, featuring the music of Gemma Farrell, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Mingus. Get ready for an explosive set of big band music from the ever youthful MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra!” – MNO Musical Director Ricki Malet.
The St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra also toured the great Southern September, and present “… everything from Count Basie to Tito Puente and a whole gamut of swinging big-band jazz and funk in between. We always look forward to entertaining you with this performance as the culmination of a year’s worth of work and rehearsals. You might pay for the whole seat, but you will only need the edge!” – TNO Musical Director Marty Pervan.
The Quarry Amphitheatre is one of Perth’s premier outdoor performance venues. Nestled in the tranquil bush setting of Bold Park Reserve, it offers a stunning skyline view. Bring a picnic, choose from the Limestone Cafe menu on the night, or pre-order picnic hampers, and enjoy a jazz picnic under the stars with friends and family.
These bands have never sounded better after a year of working and touring together. A sell out several years in a row, be sure to book early for The Best of WAYJO 2022.
Stay tuned to wayjo.com as WAYJO prepares to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2023.
The Best of WAYJO 2022
MinterEllison Monday, St John of God Health Care Tuesday, & WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestras
Fri 25 November, 7.30pm
Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
Tickets wayjo.com
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, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit for their continued support.
Photographs of 2021 WAYJO Quarry show by Josh Wells.
Taint What You Do
‘Taint What You Do brings back the charm and splendour of live dance band evenings.
This relaxed Sunday evening show is perfect for dancers of all ages and families to enjoy classic jazz with the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra, and MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra.
Dress up and step out in style on this amazing wooden floor, along with the local swing dancing community!
Photograph Josh Wells