The band will be putting on a showcase event on Saturday 17th May with a very particular brief - to have fun! The show will feature the very best of IJO with special guests and we hope you will join us at the Richard Aldworth Science College in Basingstoke to help us start the Summer. Whether you're into ballroom, jive, swing music, jigs and reels or just good music, there will be something for you on the night. We look forward to seeing you.

An outdoor (weather permitting) concert for all the family in the picturesque village of Burghfield. Our sixth annual concert on behalf of this outstanding charity which we are delighted to support once again.

For further details contact us using our online enquiry form under the 'Hire/Contact' page of this site.

Following last year's highly successful charity concert in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, IJO are delighted to announce our involvment in the 2008 concert. Ellington @ Wellington is an open air jazz concert in the grounds of the Duke Of Wellington's estate, the Wellington Country Park in Hook, Hampshire. Look out for further details on this site, use the hire/contact page or go to the concert organiser's site www.ellingtonatwellington.co.uk

For further details contact us using our online enquiry form under the 'Hire/Contact' page of this site.

On a cold February evening, the hall at Tadley's community centre became Romance Central where temperatures, tempos and hemlines rose as the dancers of the region converged to celebrate St. Valentine's day. The signature tune of the evening was definitely 'I Only Have Eyes For You' as once again, the dancing was a real spectacle. A small handful of the band members, in an anonymous post-concert survey, confessed to the odd suspect note, such was the elegance and grace of the dancers. If music was the food of love but the stomach is the way to a man's heart then we were alright on both counts with the IJO soundtrack and packets of Love Hearts on offer to all who came along. The band had a grand time, as we hope the dancers and onlookers did too. We can't wait until the next one and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon for the next edition of Strictly IJO ... Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

IJO's New Year's concert at the William Penney Theatre. On a damp and cold evening, the audience were kept warm throughout in a programme of band favourites and new tunes to banish the Winter blues for at least a couple of hours. In an evening of mistaken identity, our beloved Keith Bird on trombone got called Phil, saxophonist James Avison became Benny, flautist Gemma Wilson became Gemma Jones (much to her Dad's dismay) and band leader Simon Ward insisted on being called Barry. All very strange even in our native tongue of English, let alone Brazilian as demonstrated by vocalist Gay Holden who waxed lyrical ... A terrific start to the IJO year - thanks to all those who braved the elements and gave the band such a warm welcome. We hope to see you again very soon at the Penney. 

                  Paul Eshelby (left) with IJO Band Leader Simon Ward

Sales of lip salve in the Tadley area rose briefly following IJO's masterclass with renowned trumpeter Paul Eshelby who put the band through their paces for the day at the William Penney Theatre.
Working through some of our most challenging numbers, Paul rehearsed us thoroughly and gave us the opportunity to concentrate on dynamics and rhythmic patterns. A session looking at blues improvisation introduced the  concept of the Cycle of Fifths. Many of the band  hadn't been on any sort of bike for a while although some had recent experience in how to 'handle bars'...
A thoroughly educational and enjoyable day, Paul was an excellent tutor and the band sounded fabulous. Our sincere thanks to Paul for all his guidance.

Now an Innovations Jazz Orchestra favourite, the band played whilst over 150 dancers including the irrepressible Reading University Ballroom Society foxtrotted, tangoed and waltzed the night away at Basingstoke's Richard Aldworth Science College. Percussionist Tom Earwaker brought the spirit of Latin America to the set with his timbales, congas and assorted shakers - muchas gracias Tom. Keep an eye out on the IJO website for your next opportunity to 'Come Dancing'.

Friends of IJO and big band aficionados Alison and Hilary Nickell celebrated their silver wedding anniversary at the Paramount Country Hotel in Basingstoke with IJO providing a soundtrack of Miller, Basie and Duke Ellington. A moving vocal tribute by their sons meant that none of us will ever listen to Billy Joel's 'Just The Way You Are' in quite the same way again ... A terrific evening for the band and a delight to be playing for such a great couple. Here's to another 25!

This is now another IJO regular and we are delighted to support this excellent charity. Many thanks to the organisers and our friends at Little Manor, Burghfield for rallying round to ensure the concert went ahead despite distinctly damp conditions. The Dunkirk spirit was alive and well as concert-goers huddled under the flotilla of gazebos to enjoy the hog-roast before joining us in the church for a concert of big band favourites. One of the band favourites is Simon's rendition of 'Get Me To The Church On Time' ; once again, it was performed in inimitable style and only outdone by an athletic performance during 'Yakety Sax' involving a wig and a clown hat.

Waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, beguine, salsa - something for everyone on a night when Mr & Mrs Baldwin-to-be took to the floor to show us all how it should be done and looked fabulous. The hall at Richard Aldworth Science College was a sequinned kaleidoscope of colour; although the saxophone section never let it show, the odd quaver was missed as the dancing really was a sight to behold. A great evening for dancers and music lovers alike - sold out again. Many thanks to the organisers at the college for putting on an excellent evening and giving IJO such a warm welcome.