Our Sunday junior and senior jazz bands kicked off December with a joyous and energetic performance for friends and family at Camden Music’s annual Family Jazz showcase. The event, reminiscent of Ronnie Scott’s with its candlelit, moody, and intimate atmosphere, was a true celebration of jazz.

The music shone as brightly as their instruments – we heard trombones and trumpets, a baritone sax (what a sound!), and some incredibly rhythmic drumkit playing. The repertoire included American jazz standards, contemporary British, and Latin jazz, showcasing the versatility and talent of our young musicians.

Our players improvised creatively and confidently, with a couple of them sharing their enthusiasm for giving up their Sunday afternoons to play music with others. They even recommended that the audience listen to Herbie Hancock!

We were delighted to welcome a second-year student studying the prestigious Tonmeister Music and Sound Recording course at the University of Surrey. He used the concert to make field recordings of a live performance for his portfolio. We were absolutely blown away by the results, which you can hear below.

Recorded by a student on the Tonmeister course at the Institute of Sound Recording,
University of Surrey.

The regular and committed attendance at Sunday afternoon rehearsals means that these bands gel, can listen to one another carefully, and can anticipate when a solo is finished—an essential skill in jazz. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, and seeing them perform so joyfully and freely is a delight.

#WeMakeMusic

Want to get involved?

While Senior CYJB is full for this year, we warmly invite new players to join Junior CYJB. Secondary school brass, woodwind, and guitar players in Years 7 to 9 of around Grades 2 – 5 in standard are welcome to apply.

Please apply here.