This prize winning junior jazz ensemble is aimed at pupils up to Grade 3.  It provides a highly effective introduction to jazz styles and basic improvisation skills and is the training band for the senior jazz  group Paraffernalia.

As the senior jazz group became firmly established, it soon became obvious there was a need to set up a junior jazz group.  This would ensure a supply line of players for Paraffernalia as and when players leave school and move on. 

Staff

Little Big Band is conducted and directed by Mr David Blakey.

Membership

A number of workshop/jazz taster sessions were organised and now we have a regular group of around 12 players in the band.  

Rehearsals

Little Big Band rehearses at the Dryden Centre on Tuesday: 6.30pm until 8.00pm (please see Contact Us for a map)

Concerts and Events

The band is growing in confidence and in 2009, the band entered the Great North Jazz Festival, playing in the School’s Section.  The band was awarded the Adjudicator’s Special Award for Outstanding Musical Performance.  A fantastic achievement for a debut performance.  In 2010 the band added another accolade to their achievements when they won the School’s Section of  the  Great North Jazz Festival competition.

 Players need to be playing at Grade 1 to 3 levels and again, as in Paraffernalia, membership is by invitation or teachers recommendation.