Book the Band for Your Event
Leeds Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of Big Band Jazz under our Musical Director, Colin Byrne. We delight in an eclectic mix of repertoire from Bebop, Blues and Ballads through to cutting-edge modern Jazz Orchestra numbers. Classic big band arrangements from Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus sit alongside numbers written specifically for the band by up-and-coming new composers.We love to perform and are excited by new opportunities. If you would like us to perform for your event, please get in touch. We can arrange a programme to suit – from sets of easy-listening dance numbers assured to get you moving and go home singing to rarely-performed, exciting Jazz Orchestra arrangements suited to Arts Centre concerts.
Leeds Jazz Orchestra is a fully independent, self-funded, not-for-profit band. We can be flexible regarding payment for gigs. We rehearse at Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART). We hold Public Liability Insurance to comply with venues’ requirements.
A little history
Leeds Jazz Orchestra has been in existence for many
years in various guises. The band was originally
set up in 1990 as an adult evening class under the
direction of bassist Barry Rickaby and in 1995 the
orchestra migrated to Leeds College of Music’s
Community Education Department . In 2002
saxophonist Al Wood took over the leadership of the
Jazz Orchestra and two years later in 2004, drummer
Colin Byrne took the helm. From 1990 to 2010 the
band never had an official name and gigged under
various names such as The Jazz Orchestra and the
convoluted The Leeds College of Music Thursday Night
Big Band. In 2010 the Jazz Orchestra became a victim of the recession and was dropped from Leeds College of Music’s provision of service. However, through the efforts of Ruth Ker (bass) Liz Fox (alto sax) and John Tattersall (tenor sax), the band was resurrected and Leeds Jazz Orchestra came into existence as a fully independent, fully self-funded band.
We currently rehearse at Heart in Headingley, Leeds on Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm. We are always keen to find new members so if you fancy playing with us just drop us an email. We are also interested in hearing from composers and arrangers who would like to write for the band.