York Jazz Initiative launches Jazz Orchestra Album

The highly talented young musicians involved with YMF Jazz Orchestra have released a new album entitled Soundwave under the leadership of Musicial Director Ian Chalk.

Ian says...

The album sounds incredible and it's hard to believe that it was recorded by school age musicians.  York really has some wonderfully talented young jazz musicians.

Since we don't receive any external funding all the proceeds from album sales will be used to benefit all the ensembles we work with and our shopping list includes new fancy big band stands, lighting equipment and modular staging so please, please, please buy this wonderful new album!

This album wouldn't have been possible to record without the help and expertise of David Rose, our amazing sound engineer.  David gave his time and expertise entirely for free for this project and we can never thank him enough.  David Rose Sound Services's website is here and we recommend that you contact David for all your location recording needs.

We would also like to thank all the parents who have supported us and of course all the musicians who gave up their time to record this amazing music.

So please listen to the album and then buy it so we can make York Jazz Initiative even more brilliant!

 To listen to and buy the album, visit the York Jazz Initiative website.

York Jazz Initiative Announces New Choir

Ian Chalk has announced that a new Jazz Choir will run in York starting early 2017, representing the latest in a string of jazz education initiatives which aim to make York a centre for excellence in jazz.

From the York Jazz Initiative website...

So if you're an adult (16+) who would like to sing some cool jazz tunes in a group of approximately 20 and be tutored by one of the UK's great jazz singers and vocal coach, Kate Peters, then this is for you.  You don't need to have an amazing voice or be able to read music, just be open to having lots of fun, making new friends and performing concerts! The Jazz Choir will also collaborate with other York Jazz Initiative ensembles.

Rehearsals will be at Vale Of York Academy (formerly Canon Lee School) in York on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm till 9:00pm during term time.  

Budding jazz choir attendees can register their interest on the York Jazz Initiative website and will be sent information shortly.

NJ Advent Calendar - Workshops part 2 (December 16th)

Behind door number 16 is part two of our look at the jazz education initiatives happening in the north...


Seven Jazz Workshops, Leeds

Seven Jazz in Leeds promotes a year round programme of live gigs, both international and local. But somehow, they also find the time to run regular jazz workshops AND a jazz choir, too. Their Jazz Choir is run by vocalist Tessa Smith and meets fortnightly. The instrumental workshops are led by a number of professional musicians with Tom Sharp and Dominic Moore being the most recent tutors. These happen on a Saturday afternoon and are usually multiple times a month.

York Jazz Initiative, York

Trumpeter and teacher Ian Chalk has been on a mission to provide top quality jazz education to musicians in York and his success so far has been inspiring. He directs a number of ensembles like the York Music Forum Jazz Orchestra and Big Band Initiative which meet regularly and leads weekly workshops that deal with improvisation and harmony. Recently, all three ensembles performed in York and you can see videos of the ensembles in action here.

Play Jazz!, Tyneside

Play Jazz! is a series of monthly workshops provided by the Jazz Coop and the Sage Gateshead. On the first Saturday of each month, a number of tutors that include Jim Birkett, Stu Finden and Zoe Gilby lead a 4 hour workshop which deals mainly with the practical side of playing jazz and improvising.

Big Band Jazz in York, December 9th

December is always a good time for live jazz in the North, as groups perform special performances marking the end of the year in the build up to the 25th. This year it's no different and trumpeter Ian Chalk continues to be incredibly busy, bringing three ensembles to the Post Office Club in York for a Big Band extravaganza on December 9th.

The performance showcases three ensembles that Ian MDs as part of the York Jazz Initiative - the Youth Jazz Orchestra, Youth Jazz Ensemble and the York Big Band Initiative. Expect a varied programme of music from classic big band canon (Night Train, A Child Is Born...), more contemporary charts (Bird Land, Deacon Blues) and the odd festive number thrown in for good measure.

Tickets cost £5, under 18s go free. Doors open at 7pm at Post Office Club, Marygate, York.

York announces plans to become centre of excellence in jazz

Recently, we reported on a new big band starting in York, led by Ian Chalk as part of the York Jazz Initiative. Well, this week more information was released about the plans they have to make York a centre for excellence in Jazz.

Launching in September, the initiative will include streaming lessons and classes offered to those at any level who wish to know more about jazz. The programme will be based at Canon Lee School in York but will offer lessons in the form of skype, e-books and face-to-face.

In an article published in the York Press, Ian Chalk said

We're determined to make York a centre of excellence in the north of England for jazz education for young people and adults. Large ensembles, small groups, individual tuition, distance learning, workshops, attention to detail and passion for an important art form. 

Read the York Press article here and visit the York Jazz Initiative website for more information.