National Youth Jazz Orchestra workshops and concert

Members of the RGS Swing Band and the school’s up-and-coming jazz players travelled to Sevenoaks School on Wednesday 7 November to participate in workshops with the conductor and key members of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), as well as attending a spectacular evening concert. The workshops gave a chance for in-depth exploration of many aspects of the jazz style and the students’ risk-taking skills came to the fore with some super improvised solo playing. NYJO’s concert performance reflected their reputation as one of the very best big bands on the circuit and they raised the roof with virtuosic jazz rhythms, inventive covers of everything from Kylie Minogue to Stevie Wonder and stunning original compositions – a huge inspiration.