WAYJO - West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra

Patrons


	Patrons

Patrons: Daryl Somers, James Morrison, Don Burrows, and Frank Foster

Daryl Somers OAM
It is many years since Daryl Somers first walked into the studios of GTV9 Melbourne to appear on New Faces. Today, Daryl Somers is one of Australia’s most respected entertainers.

Prior to his television career, Daryl was a professional vocalist and drummer and has continued his singing career with numerous concerts across Australia. He has sung with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, starred as Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, appeared in the concert version of The Hunting of the Snark and performed in a number of pantomimes. Whenever his busy schedule allows, he continues to perform on the musical stage.

Over the years Hey Hey and Daryl have generated enormous respect and admiration from international performers and promoters. This is because of the extreme professionalism and the rather unique format of Hey Hey. Overseas stars who have appeared with Daryl include Clint Eastwood, Robin Williams, Madonna, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Sylvester Stallone, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, Michel Bolton, Elton John, U2 and many more.

Daryl Somers’ personal popularity has been marked over the years by winning 29 TV Week Logie Awards and countless other Industry Awards. Daryl is married to Julie de Costa, former Senior Artist with the Australian Ballet.

James Morrison AM
James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano. At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed equally as fast. Just turned 16 James Morrison debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Following this were performances at the big festivals in Europe – including Montreaux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern - playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. There were also gigs in the world’s most famous jazz clubs – the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scott’s in London. In 1997, James was recognised for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

Don Burrows AO MBE
Legendary musician Don Burrows (AO MBE) has been at the forefront of the jazz world for nearly 60 years. Don’s many ‘firsts’ include: the first Australian jazz artist to win a gold record, play Europe’s Montreux festival, the USA’s Newport festival, to play in China, awarded a Creative Arts Fellowship, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Director of a Jazz Studies course. He’s also hosted his own television show for six years on ABC TV, released close to forty albums, and regularly tours nationally and Internationally. Don has performed with Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Stephane Grappelli, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Kate Cebrano and hundreds more. Don continues to tour regularly. In the last few years Dons appearances have included China, South America, Nepal and New Zealand. His passion for jazz has seen him embark on several countrywide educational tours from Broome to Tasmania.
Throughout a long, varied and successful career Don has played just about every kind of venue, from nightclubs and festival stages to television studios and outback classrooms. His musicianship and his ability to communicate his passion for music have become legendary. He remains one of Australia’s pre-eminent artists, veritably a Living National Treasure.

Frank Foster
Former Leader of the Count Basie Orchestra and sideman for Basie for many years. Frank has been on the US Jazz scene for over 50 years.
Frank has worked with literally everyone in the US Jazz industry including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Wynton and Bradford Marsalis, Frank Sinatra, Art Blakely, Bill Cosby Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Clark Terry, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughn, Jerry Lewis, Duke Ellington, George Benson, Tony Bennett, Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk and Billie Holliday. Frank wrote the arrangement of 'Mack the Knife' made famous by Frank Sinatra.

Frank has won 3 Grammies and been nominated many times. He has performed a Royal Command Performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, performed at three presidential inaugurations, worked and performed in movies including Blazing Saddles and Cinderfella with Jerry Lewis, Lena Horne’s One Woman Show on Broadway, featured in television series such as the Cosby Show and written film scores including "Wall Street".

As well as leading the Count Basie Orchestra, Frank has been a composer/ arranger for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and 1st Tenor Saxophone in the Count Basie Orchestra. Franks own band the Loud Minority performs at Jazz Festivals and performances around the world.

Frank has written many Jazz standards such as ‘Shiny Stockings’. Blues in Frankie’s Flat, Four-Five-Six and many more. Frank is currently writing for Symphony and Big band.

Email: admin@wayjo.com