WAYJO Announces 2019 Season
The West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) launches its 2019 season with a focus on the birthplace of jazz, the USA, welcoming celebrated international guest artists.
The 2019 annual program has the theme of “An American Jazz Story”, with all core events focused on a different American theme, whether it’s a city and style or a celebration of composers and songs.
Jazz at The Maj returns from April to November, featuring stunning concerts in the beautifully intimate Downstairs at the Maj. The season kicks off in April with a celebration of The Great American Songbook, hot on the heels of the 2018 sell-out “Ladies Sing the Blues” and delivering a night of the best sung jazz standards.
In May, WAYJO welcomes trombonist Mariel Bildsten (USA) to perform Dixieland Stomp, a riotous journey through New Orleans style jazz. Ms Bildsten last appeared in Perth as part of the Evan Sherman Big Band (Perth Festival, 2017).
July sees WAYJO visit Detroit in Jazz with a Touch of Motown as they celebrate the Motor City’s storied contribution to jazz.
In a huge coup for the company, Dick Oatts performs with WAYJO in August for Central Park North, a tribute to jazz from New York City. Mr Oatts is the Artistic Director and lead alto saxophone player with the fabled Vanguard Orchestra, and these concerts will be a highlight of the year.
September sees WAYJO working with Iain Robbie, Steve Richter and Adolfo Chavez, popular local artists known for their Latin style in The Afro Cuban Explosion. Miami Cuban jazz will have audiences dancing in their seats to infectious rhythms and percussion.
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love opens in October as WAYJO dedicates a night to the bluesy style of Chicago’s jazz scene.
Jazz at The Maj concludes in November with Jazz at the Movies, presenting favourites and surprising compositions from Hollywood, from The Pink Panther theme to The Incredibles for all the family to enjoy.
WAYJO’s annual gala event at the Astor Theatre returns in June with Vegas, Baby!. A night of big band show tunes made popular in the old Vegas rat-pack style will pack houses.
Jazz Under the Stars closes out the year at the stunning Quarry Amphitheatre featuring all three of WAYJO’s 18-piece big bands.
The sell-out Jazz for Juniors returns as part of WAYJO’s ongoing education program.
The 2019 season will continue WAYJO’s growth as a company. From 1,500 ticketed attendances in 2016, WAYJO’s program has grown to attract over 8,000 attendees in 2018.
WAYJO is the small company that has WA’s arts community buzzing with an exciting 2019 on the horizon.
WAYJO 2019 Season Overview
Jazz at The Maj
Downstairs at His Majesty’s Theatre – April to November
The Great American Songbook
April 5-6
Dixieland Stomp featuring Mariel Bildsten (USA)
May 3-4
Jazz with a Touch of Motown
July 5-6
Central Park North featuring Dick Oatts (USA)
August 2-3
The Afro-Cuban Explosion
September 6-7
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
October 4-5
Jazz at the Movies
November 8-9
Jazz for Juniors
His Majesty’s Theatre – April 16-17, July 9-10, & October 1-2
Vegas, Baby!
Astor Theatre – June 1
The Debut Collection
The Ellington Jazz Club – June 22
The Artemis Project
The Ellington Jazz Club – October 19
Jazz Under the Stars
Quarry Amphitheatre – November 22