Best of 2024
WA Youth Jazz Orchestra Presents: Best of 2024 Concert
Enjoy a jazzy night under the stars with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) at their Best of 2024 concert at the Quarry Amphitheatre on Saturday, 23 November.
Featuring quality big band performances by the WAYJO Monday Night Orchestra, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra, and WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra, this event celebrates the culmination of a year’s hard work and touring.
Experience these bands at their peak as they showcase their favourite pieces in their final performance of the year.
Having sold out several years in a row, this event has become a local jazz tradition, delivering a diverse range of styles to delight every audience member.
The Quarry Amphitheatre, one of Perth’s premier outdoor venues, is nestled in the serene Bold Park Reserve, offering a stunning skyline view. Bring a picnic, choose from the Limestone Cafe menu on the night, or pre-order a picnic hamper.
Tickets are general admission, so arrive early to secure your favourite spot!
Best of 2024
Gates open 6:30pm | Concert from 7:30pm – 10pm
Saturday 23 November 2024
Quarry Amphitheatre, 1 Waldron Dr, City Beach
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Items you can bring to The Quarry
• Low concert/beach chairs (no wider than 52cm including armrests)
• Blankets/cushions
• Small esky
• Picnic, including wine and beer (no spirits or spike-style wine glass holders)
• Insect repellent (no mosquito coils/sticks)
• Rain poncho (no umbrellas)
WAYJO extends its gratitude to our Government Partner the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas, Guest Artist Partner Minderoo Foundation, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights, Wright Burt Foundation, Bendat Family Foundation, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Simone Lee Foundation, and all of our private donors, Seat Sponsors, and 240 Club Members for their continued support.
Sara McDonald – NYChillharmonic (USA) with WAYJO's Wednesday Night Orchestra
Sara McDonald – NYChillharmonic (USA) with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra
Members of our Wednesday Night Orchestra will perform at The Rechabite with Sara McDonald (USA) and her dynamic ensemble, NYChillharmonic.
Prepare to be transported to an aural realm where genres collide and your mind will be opened to all musical possibilities.
The NYChillharmonic is a Brooklyn-based, 18-piece progressive-jazz orchestra. The music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop, classical, and jazz while sonically embracing unconventional textures, arrangements and harmonies. The result is an ensemble sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before. The core band from New York is composed of bandleader/vocalist Sara McDonald, guitarist Shubh Saran, pianist Liya Grigoryan, bassist Almog Sharvit and drummer Angelo Spampinato. Perth-based musicians from WAYJO will round out the rest of the ensemble. Pack your expectations away and take a one-way ticket into the sonic stratosphere.
This event is presented by the Perth International Jazz Festival.
Sara McDonald – NYChillharmonic (USA) with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 9:45pm
Date: Saturday 2 November 2024
Venue: The Rechabite, Perth
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WAYJO at Perth International Jazz Festival 2024
The Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) is back for another year, bringing a diverse lineup of local and international talent to the city from Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 3 November. WAYJO is proud to be a part of this celebrated event, showcasing two exciting performances that highlight the talents of our musicians alongside renowned international artists.
Sara McDonald – NYChillharmonic (USA)
One of the standout performances this year will see members from WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO) join forces with bandleader and vocalist Sara McDonald (USA) for her dynamic ensemble, NYChillharmonic on Saturday 2 November at The Rechabite – Main Hall. Known for their genre-defying sound, NYChillharmonic seamlessly blends rock, pop, classical, and jazz, creating a unique sonic experience that embraces unconventional textures, arrangements, and harmonies. The result is an ensemble unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.
Sara McDonald will lead the ensemble, joined by core NYChillharmonic members including guitarist Shubh Saran, pianist Liya Grigoryan, bassist Almog Sharvit, and drummer Angelo Spampinato. Perth-based musicians from WNO will round out the rest of this extraordinary ensemble, making this collaboration one of the must-see performances of the festival.
Mariel Bildsten (USA) with WAYJO’s Monday Night Orchestra
Our Monday Night Orchestra (MNO) will also be part of the much-loved, Jazz Picnic in Hyde Park, a free annual event that’s perfect for families and jazz lovers alike. This year, MNO will be joined by special guest artist Mariel Bildsten (USA), an acclaimed jazz trombonist. This event is happening on Saturday 2 November from 12pm, with Mariel Bildsten and MNO hitting the stage at 3:30pm, embracing the sounds of jazz greats including Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
For more information about the festival and ticket bookings, visit the official Perth International Jazz Festival website HERE.
Chloe Rowlands (USA) with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Chloe Rowlands (USA) with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Brass meets brilliance as the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) brings Brooklyn-based trumpeter Chloe Rowlands to Perth for a show at The Ellington Jazz Club.
Known for her performances on some of the world’s biggest stages including the Hollywood Bowl, Monterey Jazz Festival, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – Chloe brings her incredible talent, impeccable technique, and “extroverted approach to playing trumpet” [Willem de Koch of The Westerlies] to this intimate space.
A multi-talented musician, composer, arranger, and educator, Chloe Rowlands holds a faculty position at The New School College of Performing Arts (NYC). She has collaborated with artists such as Fleet Foxes, the ten-time GRAMMY award-winning Manhattan Transfer, Big Red Machine, Haley Heynderickx, and Theo Bleckmann. She is also a member of the critically acclaimed brass quartet The Westerlies – “The Westerlies explore jazz, roots, and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids: music that is both “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” [NPR Music].
For this performance, she has selected a repertoire that highlights her exceptional trumpet skills, curated in collaboration with WAYJO’s artistic director Mace Francis. The evening will feature works by Thad Jones, Ed Partyka, Jim McNeely, and some unexpected pieces, alongside music arranged by Charlie Rosen of the GRAMMY-winning The 8-Bit Big Band, specially arranged for Chloe. She’ll be joined on stage by WAYJO’s premier 18-piece Wednesday Night Orchestra.
Chloe Rowlands isn’t just a phenomenal musician, she’s also a proud queer trans woman breaking boundaries and inspiring audiences around the world. Her versatility spans a wide range of musical styles, from jazz and classical to pop.
Her talents extend beyond the stage as well – Chloe has contributed to film and television including the soundtrack to Billy Crystal’s film Here Today where her solo trumpet is featured throughout the entire film – Charlie Rosen joked that the trumpet was one of the film’s main characters – as well as in HBO’s Gossip Girl. As a composer, she has written for chamber music, concert bands, jazz ensembles, and has produced original scores for short films, TV shows, and documentaries.
Chloe Rowlands (USA) with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm (doors at 6pm)
Date: Saturday 14 September 2024
Venue: The Ellington Jazz Club
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WAYJO extends our gratitude to Guest Artist Program Partner Minderoo Foundation and the United States Consulate Perth for their support in bringing Chloe Rowlands to Western Australia.
The 8-Bit Big Band perform ‘Tifa’s Theme’ (Jazz Waltz Big Band Version) ft. Chloe Rowlands
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Harvey
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30pm
Date: Wednesday 14 August 2024
Venue: Harvey Recreation & Cultural Centre, Tom Latch Drive, Harvey WA 6220
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Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Busselton
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 11am – 12pm
Date: Saturday 10 August 2024
Venue: Shelter Brewing Co., 11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton WA 6280
FREE EVENT
Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop, Margaret River
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Noongar/Jingili rapper Zero Emcee joins with WAYJO’s 18-piece big band for a night of phat beats and bold brass. Don’t miss this fusion of hip-hop and jazz for all ages.
Experience the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop as Noongar rapper Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) come together for concerts across WA this August and September.
From Perth to national stages, Zero Emcee’s socially resonant rap reflects his Noongar and Jingili heritage with pride. Get set to move and groove as his compelling rhymes are amplified by the powerhouse sounds of WAYJO’s 18-piece orchestra.
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop
Featuring Zero Emcee and the Wednesday Night Orchestra
Time: 7:30pm
Date: Friday 9 August 2024
Venue: Margaret River HEART, 47 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River
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Recommended age and warnings: Some songs contain mature themes. Parental guidance recommended.
This project is supported by Playing WA through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Memories – Zero Emcee & WAYJO
From Perth to Tokyo: WNO’s unforgettable journey
In June, WAYJO musicians Holly Forster, Taj Johnstone, Matt Knight, Ben Shelley, Bob Tweedie, and Naoko Uemoto, along with Artistic Director Dr. Mace Francis and General Manager Monique Douglas, travelled to Tokyo for an international cultural exchange with Showa University of Japan, supported by North West Shelf Gas.
Our talented musicians rehearsed with their Japanese counterparts, culminating in a final performance at North West Shelf Gas’s 35th Anniversary celebration, held at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
The exchange was a resounding success, both artistically and in fostering lifelong friendships through a variety of cultural events. Highlights included a visit to the Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu), a magnificent bronze statue of Amida Buddha located on the grounds of Kōtoku-in Temple.
Our musicians represented WAYJO and Australia with exceptional diplomacy and pride, making us incredibly proud.
Taj Johnstone shared his experience, stating, “This tour was not just a professional engagement but a life-changing experience that left an indelible mark on me. One of the highlights was meeting the world-famous trumpeter, Eric Miyashiro. His virtuosity and passion for music were both inspiring and humbling. Equally enriching was the time spent with my fellow WAYJO members—six band members and two staff—whose camaraderie and shared dedication to jazz deepened our bond. We also connected with the talented musicians and students at Showa University, creating friendships that transcended language and cultural barriers.
“Furthermore, the support and interaction with the North West Shelf Gas staff who accompanied us were invaluable, providing insights into both their professional endeavours and personal stories. This tour was a profound learning experience, blending rigorous musical training with rich cultural exchange. It broadened my musical horizons and cultivated a deeper appreciation for the universal language of music. The warmth and hospitality of our Japanese hosts, the beauty of Tokyo, and the unforgettable performances and workshops we participated in made this journey truly unforgettable. I will always cherish the memories and lessons from this extraordinary adventure.”
This exchange was made possible through the generous support of North West Shelf Gas, and we are deeply grateful to them for facilitating cultural exchanges like this.
Linda May Han Oh with the Wednesday Night Orchestra
LINDA MAY HAN OH WITH WAYJO’S WEDNESDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA
“…her innovative range and stellar improvisations have made [her] one of the most dynamic rising stars in jazz today.”
The Wall Street Journal
Experience award-winning bassist/composer Linda May Han Oh as she graces Boorloo (Perth) for a special one-night performance with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO).
Renowned globally for her exceptional talent, versatility and dedication to music education, Linda returns to WAYJO after being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2023. From her beginnings as an orchestra member where she was awarded the Bob Wyllie Scholarship for best graduation recitalist, to winning a Grammy for her bass performance on Terri Lyne Carrington’s ‘New Standards Vol. 1’, Linda’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Now based in New York City, she is returning to perform her original compositions with WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra, under the musical direction of Gemma Farrell and Bayden Adams.
From her acclaimed quintet album ‘The Glass Hours’ to being animated as bassist ‘Miho’ in Pixar’s ‘Soul’ film, Linda’s influence is undeniable.
Join us for an exceptional evening of jazz with one of the most in-demand musicians of our time.
Linda May Han Oh appears thanks to Minderoo Foundation’s support for WAYJO’s Guest Artist Program 2024.
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: 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
