Our Story

Thames Youth Jazz Orchestra (TYJO), sister ensemble to Thames Youth Orchestra, is a full-strength big band taking players Grades 7 and above. TYJO plays from an extensive pad which includes the major staples of the big band repertoire, from 1930s Swing (Basie, Ellington, Goodman etc.) to contemporary charts (Mintzer, Goodwin, Mingus), and including a wide range of arrangements of film and TV themes, chart hits, Afro-Cuban standards (Puente, Sandoval etc.), selections by Sammy Nestico, Neal Hefti, Quincy Jones and classic Ella Fitzgerald/Sinatra/Rat Pack vocal charts. On occasion (chiefly on tour), the two ensembles, TYO and TYJO, combine to play studio orchestra classics from the golden age of Hollywood, transcribed by Musical Director, Simon Ferris. The band was recently awarded ‘Best Music Performance’ at the 2023 FUSE International Festival.

TYJO rehearses in the Walden Hall at Tiffin School in Kingston upon Thames from 5.30 - 7.00pm on Fridays during term time.

TYJO also joins the Thames Youth Orchestra every summer to go on tour to Europe, with past tours including concerts at Budapest Jazz Club and the Palacio de Figueroa in Salamanca.

Meet the Team

  • Dae Hyun Lee

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Dae Lee is a drummer, percussionist and educator. He has worked with musicians and entertainers such as George Fenton, Melody Thornton (Pussycat Dolls), Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Brian Blessed, Leslie Garrett, the London Swing Orchestra, National Youth Jazz Orchestra (ambassador), Thomas Adès, Don Broco, Nico Muhly, Pete Firman, Malory Torr, Byron Wallen, Thierry Pécou, and has also performed for Queen Elizabeth II. His contributions to various albums has seen individual tracks rank no. 1 on the UK Jazz charts on numerous occasions.

    Venues and studio work include Abbey Road Studios, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Love Supreme Jazz Festival (Yamaha Tent), Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, O2 Indigo, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Dean Street, Pheasantry, Birmingham, Maidenhead), Beijing Concert Hall, Budapest Jazz Club, BBC Hyde Park Festival, Livingston Studios, and Metropolis Studios. Dae has also worked for labels such as Universal Music Group (Earth Orchestra) and Decca Records (The Boy Downstairs: Netflix). Dae has also toured countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

    Dae has been fortunate to have played alongside UK jazz greats such as Barry Forgie, Bill Geldard, and Ronnie Hughes. Dae has also led the award winning Bristol Hornstars, Thames Youth Jazz Orchestra and Reading University Big Band.