MUSIC will fill the air for a good cause when a big bands night will be held in Redditch to raise funds for The League of Friends of Alexandra Hospital, writes Alexander Shingler.
Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO) will perform at the Tudor Grange Academy theatre at 7.45pm on June 13 in an event organised by the Rotary Club of Redditch.
It is the first time the band has returned to the town since the pandemic.
The MYJO is one of the UK’s top big bands and is unbeaten in the BBC National Big Band Competition since the mid-1980s.
It has also won the Dutch National Big Band Competition, beating adult bands from across Europe.
The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra’s musical director, Dr John Ruddick MBE, said: “MYJO has recently performed a successful concert at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Eastside Jazz Club with special guest Percy Pursglove, and the band is looking forward to performing once again in Redditch.
“We have always enjoyed our times there and look forward to another successful evening.
“We are also pleased to be helping to raise funds for The League of Friends of Alexandra Hospital.”
He thanked Philip Roberts and his team at Redditch Rotary for all their help in organising this concert.
MYJO has extensively toured the world with performances at Walt Disney World in America, the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Rotary Club of Redditch President Philip Roberts said: “We are delighted MYJO is available to perform for us again.
“Before the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Redditch promoted their performances in Redditch for several years, each time raising funds for local charities such as Carers Careline and Batchley Support Group.”
“Our decision to support The League of Friends of Alexandra Hospital comes from our recognition of the huge contribution they have made in enhancing the work of the Alex [Hospital] over many years.”
He added the concerts also provided an opportunity to showcase and support the work of the MYJO in developing young musicians, aged between 18 to 25 – many who went on to pursue careers in the music industry.
Their most recent concert in Redditch included Xhosa Cole, winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018, a tenor saxophonist now firmly established with three solo albums to his credit.
The concert will take place on Friday June 13 at Tudor Grange Academy theatre.
Email [email protected] or call 01675 442050 for tickets.
Google ‘Redditch Rotary Club’ and click through to the club’s website for more on the club.
