Tickets go on sale on 1st July from the Anvil box office.
Special guest appearance by the famous jazz trumpeter Paul Eshelby, BBC big band and National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
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 on 0118 983 2569 or 07990 531724
LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING - Only 10 tickets left - HURRY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !
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
TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST
500th anniversary celebration. Concert starts at 7.30pm Tickets cost £7.00 each - available from the church office on 01256 329528 St Michael's Church
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 your diary and watch for more details to follow.
Tickets go on sale on 1st July from the Anvil ox office
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.
Tickets go on sale on 1st July from the Anvil box office.
500th anniversary celebration.
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'! 
