Now entering its fifteenth year, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) Composer in Residence program is proud to announce its recipients for 2022.
Congratulations 24-year-old Composer in Residence Thomas Voss (SA), and 21-year-old Associate Composer Bob Tweedie (WA).
“We were again pleasantly surprised at the quality of applications this year for the 2022 Composer in Residence” states WAYJO Artistic Director, Dr Mace Francis. “Thomas showed us exceptional big band craft and mature writing. Bob showed us interesting and exciting compositional ideas that I am excited to see transferred to big band format. This is an exciting year for this project and I am looking forward to hearing and seeing the results.”
Thomas Voss is an Adelaide-based trombonist and composer/arranger who performs with and writes for a variety of local ensembles, including his own septet and big band. Thomas was selected as the lead trombonist for the 2021 and 2022 Australian National Jazz Orchestra Youth Big Bands, has performed in Adelaide’s 2019 International Jazz Day concert, and was the JazzSA Superbands 2019 Composer in Residence, also serving as the program’s coordinator since 2021. Thomas also won the 2017 Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition, and was a finalist in the 2017 James Morrison Scholarship.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the 2022 WAYJO Composer-in-Residence, and very excited to have the opportunity to work with a program that has helped to train and advance so many fine musicians” says Thomas.
Bob Tweedie (WAYJO Member 2018-2022) is an enthusiastic young piano player who loves to play many kinds of music, but especially jazz. He is a graduating student of the WAAPA jazz course (Hons), teaches both privately and part-time at Santa Maria College, and keyboardist in WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO). Currently dabbling in synthesisers and electronics, Bob plays with local bands such as Ken Paolo and the Space Cadets, and Residents’ Club. Some notable performances include being featured at the 2021 Perth International Jazz Festival with Sam Forster, as well as alongside some of Perth’s best pianists at the Ellington Jazz Club’s Solo Piano Showcase.
“It’s a privilege to be able to work with WAYJO, an organisation that provides such high-quality opportunities to developing musicians. WAYJO has been one of the core pillars in Perth jazz community for many decades, and acted as a transition for amateur musicians to become professional gigging musicians” states Bob.
The WNO will record these exciting new works July at Loop Studios in West Perth. Applications for the WAYJO’s 2023 composer in residence program will open early next year. For more information, visit wayjo.com/composer-in-residence
Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #WAYJOcir
Contacts
Mace Francis WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Justine Thornley WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950