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Welcome to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra
upcoming events:
"Sitting In With The Masters"
Saturday September 16th
2:00 - 4:00 pm

"Sitting in with the Masters" sessions are back!
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of jazz sponsored by the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Youth Orchestra. Our upcoming event will feature saxophonist, educator, and composer Paul Carr.
This event is specifically designed for high school and advanced middle school musicians who are passionate about jazz. You'll have the opportunity to "sit in" with the band, play alongside them, and ask questions about Paul Carr's path to becoming a "Master Jazz Musician." Paul will be joined by Bob Murad (piano), Herman Burney (bass), and J.C. Jefferson Jr. (drums).
Saturday, September 16th, 2023, 2:00-4:00 pm
Alice's JAZZ CULTURAL SOCIETY
2813 12th St., NE, Washington, DC.
"Sitting in with the Masters" is sponsored by the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Foundation, with generous support from the Trawick Foundation. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn from the best in the business!
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We are currently looking for new members to join the Orchestra!
Our students are privileged to engage in musical collaborations with renowned Jazz musicians and bands who are at the pinnacle of their careers. Ever since its establishment in 2017, our group has had the honor of performing alongside esteemed artists such as Ben Williams, a Grammy award-winning bassist, the Count Basie Orchestra, a Grammy-nominated ensemble, Warren Wolf, an award-winning vibraphonist, Freddy Cole, a Grammy-nominated Jazz vocalist, Sullivan Fortner, a pianist acclaimed for his exceptional talent, Sharón Clark, an internationally recognized Jazz vocalist on tour, and Sean Jones, an award-winning trumpeter. Additionally, we had the pleasure of hosting Cindy Blackman Santana. To further enhance our students' experience, we have developed two exceptional series: "Sitting In With The Masters" and "The Young Artists Series."
We rehearse Mondays 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Check out our current Rehearsal Schedule and Auditions page for more information.
The Bethesda Blues and Jazz Youth Orchestra (BBJYO)
was created by the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Foundation in April, 2017 and was lead by the late great Jazz saxophonist Fred Foss. The Foundation is a nonprofit, music and education organization with a mission to provide an educational environment and opportunities for young musicians to experience and perform jazz music. BBJYO is made up of high school and middle school musicians and rehearses in the historic Bethesda Theatre under the direction of trumpeter and music educator, Kenny Rittenhouse, and pianist and music educator, Bob Murad.
Please consider Donating to BBJYO as we raise funds for the 2023-2024 academic year. Thank you!
Photos by Herman Burney www.bassmintphoto.com