DESCRIPTION:
Phil Smith is the Musical Director of the Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO). Here he leads NYJO in an arrangement of an Abdullah Ibrahim tune by Zoe Rahman who rehearsed NYJO as part of the Miles Ahead Jazz Improvisation Project during 2013-14. Professional jazz musicians Tony Kofi (NYJO's patron), Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman all provided workshops and rehearsals, including provision of musical charts that NYJO has added to its repertoire. For example, they will be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014 where NYJO are playing for the 5th year in succession.
This performance was part of NYJO' Summer Jazz concert for friends and family held outside in the grounds of Lakeside Towers, Arnold, Nottingham. Video by Carl Billson, education representative and Director at jazz promoter www.jazzsteps.co.uk and formerly Chair of the Friends of Notts NYJO - www.nottsnyjo.co.uk. JazzSteps coordinated the Miles Ahead Jazz Project activities locally in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Youth Music - - www.youthmusic.org.uk - provided the Project funding which was channelled through EMJAZZ. This enabled local students and their tutors to have high quality, inspirational music input including development of improvisation and performance skills.