Award-winning Midlands Youth Jazz band to hold Christmas concert

An award-winning Midlands big band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and will again be returning to Henley in Arden to perform.

The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, one of the world’s top youth jazz groups, will present a variety of big band music as part of its A Fanfare to Christmas concert.

The concert takes place at 7:45pm on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Memorial Hall in Henley-in-Arden.

Celebrating over 50 years since its inception, the long-established orchestra supports young people in developing their musical talents, under the direction of award-winning trumpeter and conductor John Ruddick MBE.

The group has a broad repertoire of music and was unbeaten in 20 years in the BBC National Big Band Competition.

MYJO has played across the world from Canada to Germany and from Russia to America with venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Disneyworld Florida, Symphony Hall, and the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

The orchestra has also featured on radio and television, performing alongside the BBC Big Band, and as part of the 400-year celebration of Shakespeare’s birth, performing with members of The Royal Ballet on BBC 2.

Many of the group’s alumni have gone on to forge successful careers in international jazz music, attending prestigious institutions including Birmingham Conservatoire, Guildhall School of Music and the world-renowned Manhattan School of Music.

After playing with the orchestra, tenor saxophonist Xsosa Cole won BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2018 and performed as part of the BBC Proms. He now tours internationally and in 2020 released his debut album to critical acclaim.

Alex Cardall a drummer and vocalist with the band when he was 16, currently performs in the UK wide theatre tour of The Osmonds and will be returning to sing with MYJO as part of the Christmas concert.

Alex said: “I am really excited to be returning to the Midlands this December and to perform as part of MYJO’s A Fanfare to Christmas”.

“I am proud to call myself an alumnus - my time in the orchestra was instrumental in shaping my early steps as a musician and performer and I am looking forward to performing in a cracking show, full of fun and festive tunes for everyone to enjoy.”

John Latham, a retired charity consultant who has worked with the band for twelve years said:

“We are delighted to return again to Henley in Arden for the band’s annual Christmas concert. We are looking forward to putting on a great show and getting everyone into the festive spirit with some big band music.

The evening includes a raffle and bar, with funds for the event helping to support the orchestra’s 2023 events.

Tickets cost £15 and can be bought by contacting John Latham on 07719 618 843 or emailing him on its.john.latham@gmail.com.  Tickets and enquiries are also available from Nichola Ruddick on 01675 442050