8th March 2016: NYJO FIFTY: ★★★★ review from Jazzwise, reviews from The Guardian and The Sunday Times + Mark Armstrong feature interview in M-Magazine.

NYJO FIFTY celebrates the 50th anniversary of a British institution, The National Youth Jazz Orchestra, who have recorded well over 40 albums to date with this their first release for Whirlwind. Recorded at Air Studios in London, the album reflects the wide range in repertoire, style and musical colors for which NYJO has become known, with a look at new repertoire and some of the band’s past favorites to celebrate 50 years as the UK’s premier youth big band.

The album features special guest soloists in Mark Nightingale (trombone), Gareth Lockrane (flute), saxophonist Julian Siegel and pianist Zoe Rahman.

Here’s a round up of the latest press highlights. (scroll down to see feature in M-Magazine)

“Playing throughout, both ensemble and solo, is of a consistently high standard and the whole package is highly recommended.”
Northern Echo (website)

“A milestone…These are todays players, equally good at both genres (contemporary and swing) and raring to go.”
★★★★ Jazzwise (website)

Big Band CD of the year
Bebop Spoken Here (full post)

“A class act that many would never guess was a student band… Immaculately played and full of gems.”
The Guardian (full review)

“There’s certainly no shortage of precocious talent among the soloists and ensemble.”
The Sunday Times (website)

Recently NYJO’s artistic and music director was interviewed for M-Magazine (website) (see below)