WA Youth Jazz Orchestra

16/10/2026

Six of our musicians have returned from Japan after taking part in our annual SHOWAYJO exchange with 昭和音楽大学 Showa University of Music.

They attended classes, rehearsed and performed with Showa students, learnt to play traditional Japanese instruments, caught WAYJO alumnus Dane Alderson with the Yellowjackets, and explored Tokyo’s instrument districts, historic temples and shops.

Read their reflections on the exchange and what they took away from the experience 👉 https://wayjo.com/news/showayjo-reflections-making-music-and-connections-in-japan/

13/10/2026

Only a handful of tickets left for Jeff Usher with our Catalyst Jazz Orchestra at The Ellington Jazz Club this Thursday night.

Here’s them in rehearsal, playing the classic 12-bar blues standard 'Every Day I Have the Blues.'

You’ll have the blues if you miss this one 🎷 https://bit.ly/4cEY23q

09/10/2026

Thanks for the lovely write-up, Seesaw Magazine!

Western Australia’s arts playground

07/10/2026

Next week, Dr Jeff Usher joins our Catalyst Jazz Orchestra for an evening of Basie, Ellington, Mingus and more. For Artistic Director Gemma Farrell, the collaboration is particularly meaningful - Jeff was one of her lecturers at Queensland Conservatorium.

Now, Gemma is looking forward to seeing Catalyst band members have the same opportunity to learn directly from Jeff.

“He's an incredibly inspiring person to play with and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz. He could play entire transcriptions of great recordings from memory, and his depth of musical knowledge was extraordinary.”

Jeff and Gemma will also sit down for an artist talk before the concert, followed by a duet of one of Jeff’s original songs on stage 🎹 🎷

Jeff Usher [QLD] with the Catalyst Jazz Orchestra | Thu 15 Oct | The Ellington Jazz Club | Tix & more info: https://bit.ly/4cEY23q

28/09/2026

Registrations to audition are now OPEN to young musicians aged 14-25.

With 54 places across our Catalyst, Dynamic and Resonance Jazz Orchestras, you’ll have the chance to play in a big band, meet other young musicians, work with guest artists, tour and perform live.

🎹 Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, guitar, bass, piano, drums & vocals
⏳ Registrations close 20 November 2026�
🎼 Auditions: 5, 6, 12 & 13 December or on video�

See audition information, requirements and registration details on our website: https://wayjo.com/get-involved/audition/

24/09/2026

Next stop: Japan! 🇯🇵

This weekend, six Resonance Jazz Orchestra musicians - Monet Schutte, Amelie van Wyk, Emily Scully, Reef Crew, Curtis Hardwick and Jack Nankivell - will head to Japan for our annual international exchange with 昭和音楽大学 Showa University of Music.

From 26 September until 5 October, they’ll rehearse and learn alongside Showa students, sit in on classes, perform together at Kawasaki Jazz (かわさきジャズ), and catch the Yellowjackets at BLUE NOTE TOKYO.

Trombonists Emily and Reef answered a few questions about their expectations of the trip - looking forward to learning the Shakuhachi, eating sashimi, and creating music together with Showa University students.

Read the full story → https://wayjo.com/news/showayjo-wayjo-musicians-prepare-for-a-musical-exchange-in-japan/

22/09/2026

Our Pathways programs came together for a jam on Sunday, with our Northern Corridor Training Band and Progressions participants and tutors taking over the lane at Lyric’s Bar for an afternoon of playing, improvising and making music together 🎶

18/09/2026

Flashback to Flamenco Experience 💃🎷

Last month our Resonance Jazz Orchestra shared The Rechabite stage with Dutch saxophonist and composer Bernard van Rossum for an evening of jazz and flamenco.

They were joined by vocalist Raquel Avellan, flautist Ella Sarson, guitarist Joshua De Silva and percussionist Katelyn Waterhouse, with dancers from Youth Ballet WA bringing flamenco-inspired movement to the stage.

📸 Take a look back at some of our favourite moments from the night, captured by Josh Wells Photography.

15/09/2026

Four decades of jazz experience meets our 18-piece Catalyst Jazz Orchestra.

Next month, acclaimed Queensland pianist, composer and educator Dr Jeff Usher joins CJO at The Ellington Jazz Club.

Directed by Tom Salleo, they'll take on big band classics by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Oliver Nelson, alongside a collection of Jeff’s original music.

Blind since birth, Jeff’s career has spanned more than four decades of performing, composing and teaching, with a lifelong connection to jazz and blues. Composer Paul Grabowsky AO describes him as “one of Brisbane’s living treasures.”

There’s also a chance to hear from Jeff before the show, with an artist talk from 6:10-6:30pm.

Jeff Usher [QLD] with the Catalyst Jazz Orchestra
📍 The Ellington Jazz Club - Perth
🗓 Thursday 15 October
🎙️ Artist talk 6:10pm | Show 7pm
🎟️ Tickets https://bit.ly/4cEY23q