Welcome to the CAVMS Youth Jazz Orchestra. CYJO provides an opportunity for students from the Cardiff area to learn the skills of playing Jazz and Big Band music. CYJO’s repertoire includes standards from the likes of Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and Count Basie, as well as modern compositions and arrangements.
New for 2021 – CYJO Creative Ensemble
Starting in September 2021, the newly formed CYJO Creative Ensemble will offer young musicians the opportunity to create music together in an inclusive and supportive environment. Focusing on aural skills and improvisation rather than written notation, this new ensemble is open to all instruments and all standards. Led by our expert tutors, the young musicians will have the opportunity to explore different rhythmic and harmonic structures, creating the music themselves and taking it in new directions.
Running alongside the very successful CAVMS Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO), this new ensemble marks the beginning of an expansion of a more creative approach to ensemble music making, leading up to the establishing of a NYJO Regional Academy in Cardiff in 2023.
We are extremely grateful to the Ty-Cerdd Inspire fund for their support, without which this project would not be possible.
About Us
Formed in September 2003, CYJO have played at a number of venues in South Wales including St David’s Hall and the Wales Millennium Centre, Swansea Jazz Society and Dempsey’s Jazz Club. In March 2007 the were invited to represent the best of Welsh Youth Music as part of the Festival of Welsh Male Choirs at the Albert Hall, London.
They also have an ongoing exchange programme with Glenbrook High School, Chicago, USA.
The Orchestra is available to hire for functions of any size, be it a corporate presentation, exhibition welcome, background music, dinners or a party. If you can offer sponsorship to these talented Welsh youngsters or wish to book them for some great entertainment please contact the CAVMS office.
CAVMS Youth Jazz Orchestra - Summertime
The CAVMS Youth Jazz Orchestra and their remote recording of George Gershwin's classic tune, Summertime, featuring Sol Maghur on Trumpet.
