National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO)

Performing around 40 concerts a year both nationally and internationally. NYJO has helped launch the careers of many of the country’s most renowned jazz musicians including Guy Barker, Amy Winehouse, Mark Nightingale and Laura Jurd. Under the baton of Music Director Mark Armstrong, the 23-piece orchestra tonight presents its new programme: ‘Female Jazz Icons’, part of its EQ project; remixing the gender balance in jazz.

Female jazz musicians have long been an important part of the jazz scene, celebrated as singers but often under-represented in other roles. Our concert will celebrate women’s contributions to jazz through history, from Ella Fitzgerald, trumpeter Valaida Snow and composer and pianist Mary-Lou Williams; to contemporary artists like Maria Schneider, Esperanza Spalding and Mercury nominee Laura Jurd.