Within five years, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra has developed into both a concert attraction in its own right and a feeder group for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and various music college courses around the world. For this 2007 live recording the group of talented young musicians is joined by the phenomenal New York-based vibes player Joe Locke and other guests to perform a programme of jazz standards and originals.

Within five years, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra has developed into both a concert attraction in its own right and a feeder group for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and various music college courses around the world. Tommy Smith, who knows from personal experience all about being an outstanding teenage jazz musician looking to progress, formed the orchestra to channel a torrent of young talent that he realised was emerging in Scotland.

This recording took place at the end of a tour, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Shell, with the phenomenal New York-based vibes player Joe Locke, who is a terrifically exciting soloist, a force of nature in any situation.

There are more where these musicians came from and this is just the first documentation of a band that thrills with its vigour and ability. Welcome to the future of jazz.

Personnel:
Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, plus special guests: Joe Locke (vibes), Ryan Quigley (trumpet), Tom MacNiven (trumpet), Michael Janisch (bass)