News from Jo McCallum the Double Big Band Project

                                                                                 Photo Credit: Fred Little


Back in April, a very special double big band project performed to a sold out audience in Manchester, performing specially commissioned music by Iain Dixon and Mike Gibbs.

The project, organised by Jo McCallum, brought together the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland to work together and premiere new music written for the occassion.

Videos and photographs from the event have now been added the website and big band leaders are invited to borrow the music free of charge to perform with their own ensembles.

Visit the NYJOS/ WYJO Double Big Band website for more information and congratulations to all involved! 

Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra team up with NYJOS for special collaboration

Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra are to team up with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland for a special Double Big Band collaboration led by Jo McCallum.

Supported by Arts Council England, the project will see NYJOS travel to the Greater Manchester area for a weekend of rehearsals with WYJO culminating in a performance on April 17th at Halle St Peters which will also showcase the two bands individually.


The funding will allow for two new works to be commissioned; one by saxophonist Iain Dixon and the other by composer Mike Gibbs. It is hoped that the double big band material will be available shortly after the concert for any youth jazz orchestra to use across the UK.

Tickets are on sale now for the concert and are priced at £8/6. Seating is limited so early booking is recommended. Doors open at 1.30pm and the concert beings at 2pm.

For more information, visit the NYJOSWYJO Project website.