Hard to believe but it really is 10 years since IJO started. We've seen lots of changes over the years, with over 100 musicians passing through the band along the way. The band still has a number of members who were there are the first rehearsal, and weve also had 3 new musicians join in the last few months.
To celebrate our 10 year anniversary we have a packed calendar of events
Due to illness and changes at work, we currently have vacancies for a 2nd trumpet, drummer and additional female vocalist. If you are interested, please contact our Musical Director, Simon Ward, on 07932 673579
The first of our ever popular strict tempo dances. This event is being organised by Tadley Community Centre and we are delighted to have been invited back to watch you alol swirl around the dance floor.
The event runs from 7.30pm until 11.00pm. Tickets are £12.50 each and are available from Tadely Community Centre. They are selling fast so please get yours now !
Not an event for the public buit we are deligthed to have Pete Churchill, jazz tutor extraordianiare, back to take the band through its paces for the day. Make sure you come along to one of our future events after teh master claass and see what a differnce he has made to the band !
The second of our free informal concerts at the AWE Recreation Society. Concert starts at 8.15pm - Admission FREE - All welcome
Roundabout Basingstoke is a community folk opera by Martin Reid and Philip Sealey that tells the story of pregnant young Polly's journey round the town’s ring road as she tries to get to Winchester to have her baby.
On her journey she encounters a range of historical and fictional characters with local connections, including Macheath from the Beggar’s Opera, King Alfred, a political activist from the Civil War, and some Greenham Common women, all of whom in some way hinder her progress.
Polly is accompanied on her journey by a cynical and sarcastic Prologue who has plenty to say about bankers, shopping and the weather, and who likes nothing better than to ridicule the audience.
Each scene involves at least one of the town's adult music making ensembles, including the Basingstoke Choral Society, Basingstoke Concert Band, Basingstoke Silver Band, Innovations Jazz Orchestra and the Tadley Band.
The performance will take place outside the Anvil, in the foyers and in the auditorium, with the audience moving between these spaces
IJO has been given Scene 3 and full details can be found on Martin's blog at Roundabout Basingstoke
Tickets can be booked on-line from The Anvil box office
Our 8th year of supporting this wonderful charity. For last years event we had the best day of summer and we have orderd the same stunning weather for this years open air jazz picnic. This event always sells out so get your tickets early by contacting the Kennet Branch of Save The Children. Further details to follow
Back by popular demand - another evening of fantastic Ballroom and Latin dancing. Tickets are £12 each and available by calling the Community Office on 01256 473698
An evening big band concert as part of St Micheal's Church 500th anniversary celebration. Concert starts at7.30pm Further details to follow about how to get tickets
After our "Sell Out" success last year we are delighted to announce that we have secured a return visit to The Haymarkt to celebreate IJO's ten year anniversary. Put the date in yoru diary and watch for more details
The 3rd of our free informal concerts this year at the AWE Recreation Society. Concert starts at 8.15pm. Admission is FREE - All welcome
The 4th of our free, informal concerts at the AWE Recreation Society. Concert starts at 8.15pm. Admission is FREE - All welcome
IJO were featured in a BBC Radio 3 broadcast in October celebrating music making across the country. Play To The Nation, presented by Petroc Trelawny featured bands, choirs and orchestras from across Great Britain. Our performance of 'When You're Smiling' recorded by bassist John Feaver at the Save the Children concert earlier this year was played and our band leader Simon Ward interviewed. The track features a tenor sax solo by Tim 'Toots' Leonard who got a mention but the whole band were delighted to have been chosen and the track sounded especially good on the 'wireless'!
Innovations Jazz Orchestra was formed in 2000 and currently consists of 25 regular musicians who enjoy playing big band, swing and jazz music. The sound of the band in full swing is something to behold - we hope you will be able to come to one of our events to listen for yourself.
Band leader Simon Ward's musical upbringing was steeped in the jazz greats - Sinatra, Basie, Ellington, Fitzgerald and the love of this golden era of music is shared amongst all the band members. Innovations Jazz Orchestra was formed to capture the very best of this genre of music whilst taking a broad minded approach to the repertoire to include not only some of the greats, but also tunes that perhaps don't get heard too often in big band music. The addition of a flute section offers a great versatility to the band's sound - at full pelt, the full sound of the woodwind is a perfect contrast to the strength of the brass whilst in the softer numbers, the flutes add a wonderful lyrical dimension to the sound.
Since it's formation, over 100 different musicians have played with IJO either as guests, stand-ins or at rehearsals. IJO welcomes musicians who would like to come and 'have a blow' with the band for an evening - keep an eye on the site for any current vacancies in IJO.
Due to illness and changes at work, we currently have vacancies for a 2nd trumpet, drummer and additional female vocalist. If you are interested, please contact our Musical Director, Simon Ward, on 07932 673579
IJO is available for hire, either as a full orchestra, or in smaller combinations, ranging from a jazz-trio to a jazz-sextet.
Click here for details about hiring the orchestra.
We put on a number of regular concert performances each year. Click here for further details of our future concerts and to see our "Performance Archive"
If you can't wait for our next performance, Click Here to hear some clips from the band recorded "live" at one of our events.
The orchestra is a full member of Making Music and enjoys many benefits from this worthy organisation, such as £5 million of public liability insurance through their block insurance scheme.
The first of our ever popular strict tempo dances. This event is being organised by Tadley Community Centre and we are delighted to have been invited back to watch you alol swirl around the dance floor.
Our 8th year of supporting this wonderful charity. For last years event we had the best day of summer and we have orderd the same stunning weather for this years open air jazz picnic.
Back by popular demand - another evening of fantastic Ballroom and Latin dancing. Tickets are £12 each and available by calling the Community Office on 01256 473698
An evening big band concert as part of St Micheal's Church 500th anniversary celebration.
After our "Sell Out" success last year we are delighted to announce that we have secured a return visit to The Haymarkt to celebreate IJO's ten year anniversary. Put the date in yoru diary and watch for more details
IJO were featured in a BBC Radio 3 broadcast in October celebrating music making across the country. Play To The Nation, presented by Petroc Trelawny featured bands, choirs and orchestras from across Great Britain. Our performance of 'When You're Smiling' recorded by bassist John Feaver at the Save the Children concert earlier this year was played and our band leader Simon Ward interviewed. The track features a tenor sax solo by Tim 'Toots' Leonard who got a mention but the whole band were delighted to have been chosen and the track sounded especially good on the 'wireless'! 
