- Oxford University Jazz Orchestra
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Logo of the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra
Oxford University Jazz Orchestra or OUJO is an award-winning[1] jazz orchestra based in the University of Oxford, England. OUJO is one of the three official intercollegiate jazz ensembles of Oxford, alongside the Oxford University Big Band and The Donut Kings. Founded in 1991[2] it is the longest-running ensemble of its type in the university.
Contents
History
The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra was founded by students in the early 1990s, initially as a word-of-mouth, unauditioned group, and later developing into a full-fledged, professional standard big band. Notable alumni from the band include Canadian jazz vocalist Diane Nalini[2], trumpeter and NYJO musical director Mark Armstrong,[3] saxophonists Carlos Lopez Real and Idris Rahman, and ENO conductor Steve Higgins
OUJO has been a multiple-time winner at the BBC Big Band Competition [1], off the back of which it has performed at the Oeuf de Jazz Festival in Le Mans, the OK! Celebrity Ball in London, and at the Bull's Head jazz venue in Barnes, west London. [2]
In 2002, OUJO recorded the live LP Know Where You Are.[4] The album featured special guest saxophonist Peter King.
In recent years, OUJO has performed at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival and performed jazz legend Kenny Wheeler's Sweet Time Suite at St Barnabas Church, Oxford, earning the praise of the composer.[citation needed] The band has also run open jazz workshops for University students.
Present activity
OUJO performs regularly on the Oxford ball circuit, including at the famous Commemoration balls, having shared stages with major recording artists such as The Streets and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.[5]. The band represents Oxford annually in a Varsity ‘jazzoff’ match against the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra,[6] its Cambridge equivalent. The group plays a musically diverse repertoire ranging from big band swing classics to contemporary and original compositions, as well as new arrangements of popular songs.
In 2010 OUJO went on tour to New York City, performing at multiple venues including a performance for the Hudson Union Society at the Russian Tea Room[7] and as part of the "After Work" series in Bryant Park[8].
References
- ^ a b "Oxford Gazette, 1998". http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/1998-9/supps/1_4517.htm.
- ^ a b c "users.ox.ac.uk/~oujo, April 1999". Archived from the original on April 20, 2001. http://web.archive.org/web/20010420200838/http://users.ox.ac.uk/~oujo/band.html.
- ^ Mark Armstrong, Royal College of Music, London, UK.
- ^ Oxford Gazette, 2001
- ^ Trinity Ball Website
- ^ Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra.
- ^ http://www.hudsonunionsociety.com/PastEvents.asp#OS
- ^ http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/afterwork.html
External links
Categories:- Musical groups established in 1991
- Clubs and societies of the University of Oxford
- Music from Oxford
- Big bands
- British jazz ensembles
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