Like many events, our final concert of the academic year was inevitably cancelled. We were so grateful to have got to play at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Camden Music Festival, and wanted to finish our ‘season’ off with making some music together – sort of!
Each member recorded their own individual track for “Big Swinger”, an original composition by (fabulous Camden Music tutor & CYJB saxophone sectional leader) Daisy Coole, and her co-composer, Tom Nettleship – collectively known as Two Twenty Two. Daisy collated and mixed together the recordings, and the final result was premiered to the band on Sunday 12th July over a Zoom session where band members and tutors, who were flung far and wide across Europe, gathered together online to listen to the sum of their efforts.
We heard fantastic solos from some of our year 13 leavers – Christian on trumpet, Jordan on trombone, Nia on tenor sax and Gabriel on bass. Also wonderful piano and drum solos from Joey and Jess respectively, and amazing sectional leading from Jacques. All members experienced what it is like to be a studio musician (albeit at home!) – playing to a click track, being responsible for coming in, and judging dynamics and phrasing without a director.
We very much hope to be back together in person next academic year, but know that even if and when there are further challenges to be faced, we will find ways to continue to make music together.