Yamaha Education News

Yamaha Jazz Experience presents more new jazz talent at 606 Club

The winners of the 2010 under-15 age category of the inaugural Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition, 'Blue Shift', giving their prize gig at London's famous 606 Club, in October 2010

The highly talented jazz ensemble 'Blue Shift', from the junior department of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (GSMD), who won the under-15 category of the inaugural Yamaha Jazz Experience competition in May this year, was awarded a gig, as part of its prize, at London's famous 606 Club, on 17 October, which was enjoyed by a full house of enthusiastic supporters.

The young musicians themselves were clearly excited to be playing in a venue which regularly presents international jazz musicians and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity which Yamaha Jazz Experience had provided for them. However their musical maturity enabled them to give an exciting performance, featuring some inventive improvisations, under-pinned by a solid but sensitive rhythm section.

The jazz tutor at the Junior Guildhall, Jonathan Taylor, is to be praised for the work he's clearly put in, and not just for firing up these young musicians, who now clearly take great pride in honing their performance skills and are so obviously enjoying their personal and collective musical journeys. Junior Guildhall also had another entry, 'Friendly Bacteria', which became a finalist in the under-19 category and played the second set at Blue Shift's 606 Jazz Experience gig.

'Friendly Bacteria' (pictured here) played with a level of confidence and technical ability that wowed not only the audience but also 606 owner, Steve Rubie, who was particularly impressed with the ensemble's young trumpet player who, since the competition, has now begun a full-time jazz degree at GSMD.

The Jazz Experience under-17 winner, Dumfries' 'Cheltenham 8', played its prize gig at the Bull's Head Club in south-west London in September. The under-19 winner, Tomorrow's Warriors Biggish Band' is to play the early show at Ronnie Scott's on Saturday 20 November.

Yamaha's music education manager, Bill C Martin, who attended the gig at the 606, commented: "We are delighted that the Jazz Experience project has touched the hearts and minds of so many young musicians and teachers, providing help, support and inspiration for them all to deepen their invlvement in jazz and, in particular, improvising. When I see the motivation and positive personal impact that we, our venue partners, Yamaha artists and educators can bring to these gifted and talented young musicians, it fills me with confidence and excitement for the future. These young musicians are clearly very talented. But wait five years and you will be astonished! I'm proud that Yamaha is able to helpthem on their musical journeys."

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(posted: October 2010)