Devon County Show 2017

It’s always a blast to play at the Devon County Show on the Babcock DMEH stage, though, it being the County Show, ‘weather’ sometimes intervenes: the Saturday was cancelled in 2014, and 2016 was Decidedly Damp.

We’re certainly not in a heatwave just yet, and the forecast for today was, shall we say, ‘mixed’, but in the end the rain (mostly) held off, and an enthusiastic and only slightly damp and muddy crowd witnessed two strong sets by the the bands.

Many of the players have already started GCSE and A-level exams, so their taking time out to entertain the good folk of Devon is greatly appreciated. They now get some time off from DYJO duties: most of the exams will be over by the time of the next concert, in the Phoenix on Wednesday 28 June, not long before the departure on the European tour!

Anyway, a pile of photos: thanks to Felix for the ones of DYJO2, while I was waving my arms around.

Dart Music Festival & Foundation

Sunday was the occasion of our annual appearance at the wonderful Dart Music Festival: it’s always an absolute treat for us, with great audiences coming to hear the wide range of music on offer over the three days of the festival, at so many venues, and all financed by sponsorship and the generous donations of the audiences – entry is free to all events! The concert at the Flavel Arts Centre is always one of the highlights for DYJO, not just because of the great audiences we get in such a lovely venue, but because both bands always seem to play really well in response to the warmth of the reception. And again the sun shone metaphorically, and literally, with Dartmouth (and band directors who chose to cycle to Dartmouth from Topsham) basking in the warmth of the sun.

DYJO is particularly grateful for the long-standing support that the Dart Music Festival have given us, in asking us back each year, and in doing so giving us financial support to continue and develop our work in jazz education in Devon. Indeed, their support for youth music in Devon, through The Foundation, goes well beyond just the festival itself, and I’m sure they’d like to hear from you if you’d like to help them to continue the success of the festival and foundation!