North Wales Jazz present the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO) on Tuesday, February 4, as the first in their 2014 programme of concerts at Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold.

Unbeaten in the BBC National Big Band Competition for 25 years and twice winner of the Dutch National Big Band Competition, beating adult bands from The Netherlands Germany and Belgium, MYJO has twice received awards for Outstanding Services to Jazz Education in Miami, Florida and Toronto, Canada, sharing the stage with some of the great names of Jazz including the Yellowjackets.

The band has performed in the USA and Canada and throughout Europe, both at major venues and festivals including the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival.

It has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, the Barbican and Ronnie Scott’s Club in London.

In 2011 it featured with the BBC Big Band in a double big band header for Radio 2.

The orchestra has performed with a wide variety of guest musicians, such as Jamie Cullum, Elaine Delmar, Madeline Bell, the late Marion Montgomery, Georgie Fame, Marlene VerPlanck, Jeff Hooper, Jacqui Dankworth, Lee Gibson and Gary Wilmott.

It has also been proud to appear with such distinguished players as Benny Carter, Arturo Sandoval, Barney Kessel, Don Lusher, John Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Mark Nightingale and many more.

The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra’s CDs include Everything to Love, with guest trumpeter Bobby Shew, Flying Home, which features a selection of well-known classics, from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Glenn Miller’s Tail End Charlie to Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones,  Twist of the Wrist, and their latest, Have You Heard.

MYJO is led by renowned trumpeter John Ruddick. He was a member of the late Don Lusher’s Big Band, and has made numerous appearances with the BBC Big Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Fat Chops Big Band, and the All Stars Big Band.

John performs with his own jazz quintet, and at many venues as featured soloist.

He has worked with film composer Lalo Schifrin and the late George Shearing, plus Peggy Lee and Bruce Forsyth. In 2006 John was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Birmingham, for his ‘distinguished musical achievements’.

The concert starts at 8pm and admission is £12, concessions £10 and schoolchildren £7. Tickets can be purchased at Clwyd Theatr Cymru on 01352 755114 or at www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk, while more information is available from North Wales Jazz on 01745 812260 and at www.northwalesjazz.org.uk.