Celebrating the Life and Music of Bill Ashton OBE 1936–2025
Lineup
About the Event
Line-up: RONNIE SCOTT'S JAZZ ORCHESTRA
NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
BBC BIG BAND
Please note: this event takes place at The Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
Three of Britain’s great big bands come together to celebrate the life and music of Bill Ashton OBE, founder of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and one of the most influential figures in British jazz.
On what would have been Bill’s 90th birthday, Ronnie Scott’s presents a special celebration of Bill’s life, music and legacy at Union Chapel, bringing together musicians from across the generations.
For more than four decades, Bill gave young musicians the opportunity to learn their craft where it mattered: in a band, on a stage and alongside exceptional players. Through NYJO, generations of musicians were given the chance to rehearse, perform, tour, write and arrange, with many going on to become leading figures in British jazz, the West End, recording studios and orchestras around the world. The influence of Bill’s work extends far beyond the musicians who passed through the orchestra, shaping generations of players, composers, arrangers, musical directors and educators.
Hosted by Bill’s son Miles Ashton, the evening brings together the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the organisation Bill founded in 1965, the BBC Big Band, and, closing the night, the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Pete Long.
The programme will include many of Bill’s own charts, alongside the premiere of Paul Hart’s setting of a poem by Irish poet William Allingham. Hart, an NYJO alumnus and prolific composer and musician, was himself part of the musical legacy Bill helped to create. The evening concludes with a particularly poignant performance of Hart’s Remembrance, with acclaimed flautist Gareth Lockrane joining the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra as a special guest.
Bill Ashton devoted much of his life to giving musicians a place to play. On his 90th birthday, many of them come together to play for him. Profits from the concert will be donated to the Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Union Chapel and Help Musicians.
Please note: this event takes place at The Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN