JCUK: Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra

Formed in 1982 the award-winning youth jazz orchestra (EYJO) is led by resident conductor and jazz specialist, Martin Hathaway, Professor of Jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. EYJO allows advanced musicians to develop jazz knowledge and improvisation skills by playing a wide range of genres from big band standards to contemporary styles and modern composers. THey perform at many different venues across Essex including churches, studio theatres and jazz clubs. They have played with many noted international special guests, including the American saxophonists Herb Geller, Lanny Morgan, and Jean Toussaint, and with UK based musicians including Digby Fairweather and Henry Lowther. The group prides itself on playing music to cater for all tastes and gives equal emphasis to written music and to improvisation.