We Are DYJO

Danish Youth Jazz Orchestra is a newly formed youth band on the Danish jazz scene. The orchestra consists of the region's aspiring talents who are up-and-coming in the Danish jazz scene and functions both as a young elite big band and as a talent development camp in the Central Denmark Region.

Danish Youth Jazz Orchestra makes room for the wild, crooked and experimental – but rooted in tradition.

In the spring and summer of 2019, you can experience Danish Youth Jazz Orchestra at a number of concerts titled We Are DYJO. The orchestra has put together its own repertoire for the concerts – each musician is responsible for selecting, composing or arranging one number on the set list. Each song comes with a short anecdote or story by the musicians on why that particular tune has been chosen.

Thus, We Are DYJO is a unique opportunity to get a close look at the orchestra's musicians when they feel most at home: playing big band music.

The orchestra is lead and conducted by drummer John Riddell who, despite his young age, has already left his mark on the Danish jazz scene with many different soloists and orchestras.

He is a highly sought after big band drummer and has also played with numerous Danish and international soloists through his work with Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, RAMA Big Band and Randers Big Band.

Danish Youth Jazz Orchestra is supported by the Central Denmark Region, Aarhus Kulturudviklingspulje,  The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus / Aalborg, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Aarhus Music School.

Read more about the program for Ridehuset Swinger 2019 - Cuban Big Band Nights at www.aarhusjazzorchestra.dk.

Read more about Danish Youth Jazz Orchestra