National Youth Jazz Orchestra at Churchill Theatre

The 23-strong orchestra will be joined on stage by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal to bring you a Mother’s Day programme celebrating female jazz icons. Female jazz musicians have long been an important part of the jazz scene, celebrated as singers but often under-represented in other roles. Our concert will celebrate women’s contributions to jazz throughout history, from the songs of Ella Fitzgerald and 1940s compositions of trombonist Melba Liston, to contemporary artists like Maria Schneider and Nikki Iles. The programme will also include the premiere of an arrangement of Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite by Mercury Award nominee Laura Jurd, and the premiere of a brand new commission by musician, conductor, educator and composer Issie Barratt....

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The 23-strong orchestra will be joined on stage by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal to bring you a Mother’s Day programme celebrating female jazz icons. Female jazz musicians have long been an important part of the jazz scene, celebrated as singers but often under-represented in other roles. Our concert will celebrate women’s contributions to jazz throughout history, from the songs of Ella Fitzgerald and 1940s compositions of trombonist Melba Liston, to contemporary artists like Maria Schneider and Nikki Iles. The programme will also include the premiere of an arrangement of Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite by Mercury Award nominee Laura Jurd, and the premiere of a brand new commission by musician, conductor, educator and composer Issie Barratt.

Tonight’s ‘Female Jazz Icons’ programme marks the official launch of NYJO’s year-long EQ project: remixing the gender balance in jazz, which is supported by PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund.

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