CORNWALL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra was set up in 1982 by John Austin, Bob Peters and the late Leslie Buxton. At that time there was a need for a quality youth big band experience in the County. Using the NYJO model as an inspiration for the venture it quickly became the most revered and desirable ensemble for the County’s young jazz-oriented students to join.

The success of the Band over the years has sparked off many similar outfits in the larger educational establishments in Cornwall, thus enabling many more youngsters, through these CYJO-inspired spin-offs, to have their own ‘in-house’ jazz big band experience.

Despite the many new and fully functional school-based ensembles in the area, CYJO continues to offer the same high quality of service and education to those who are not able to receive it from any local source. So much so, that in September 2002 CYJO II was formed in order to cope with the ever-growing interest in the field. Both orchestras operate completely autonomously from each other, having their own line-up, rehearsals, programmes and gig schedule.

Due to popular and public demands, the ‘CYJO OCTET’ – formed in 2001, and recently re-named 'The Groove Merchants' - highlights the more advanced improvisational skills of selected members of either orchestra in a small-band idiom. The repertoire is a fun mix of updated standards and small-band classics.

The choice of programme for CYJO and CYJO II is carefully measured by the musical director Andy Bilham who works with both orchestras at all the rehearsals throughout the year. Keeping some ‘favourites’ from one year to the next allows both the opportunity to keep a working concert repertoire, and ensure that new material is continually introduced to further the challenges faced by the students.

Run alongside the County educational calendar, our year runs from May to Easter the following year. This ensures no clashes with GCSEs, A-Levels and the inevitable ‘summer job’. Although the culmination of our rehearsals is better reflected in our concert dates just prior to Easter, we endeavour to operate a continual ‘rolling programme’, allowing us to produce a presentable performance anytime during the year, despite the inevitable rotation of membership

Rehearsals are currently held once-monthly at Cornwall Music Centre in Truro.

All three ensembles can be booked for functions via The Music Service at Cornwall County Council.