Est. 2023 · London Original
Authentic American jazz from classic blue to dark jungle
On Tour
Sun 27 September
Ealing Half Marathon
Peter's Corner · Hillcrest Road, W3 9RY
There is a well-established tradition of bands playing along the route, and we hold the highly sought-after pitch at Peter's Corner. Motivating runners and entertaining fans and families alike with the classic jazz tunes of yesteryear. If you're running, bag the boost from the beat. If you're supporting, come and enjoy the tunes for as long as you like.
Sat 3 October
Aisling & Orlando
Peckham · London SE15
The wedding of the year for creative London! Acclaimed photographer Orlando Gili and northern star Aisling Perdey tie the knot. True to their inimitable chic, the wedding party and guests will follow none other than your favourite jazz orchestra, New Orleans-style through the streets of Peckham. The wedding itself is a private affair, but you too can join the second line and have your moment in the sun. Best place to catch them is at the crossroads of Blenheim Grove & Rye Lane, or on Holly Grove. We're guessing around 4:30pm — but it's an artists' wedding, so time will flex to their bidding, not the other way around...
Sat 10 October
The Twyford Sessions
Canteen · Twyford Church of England School
For those who know our origin story, Twyford is the home of Ealing Junior Music School, dear to our hearts and our ears. This Saturday is the latest in our now-legendary series exclusively for the families of EJMS, where they get to hear the latest songs in our repertoire. And, we like to think, a young person today in EJMS is the next Bessie Smith or Bix Beiderbecke, who will one day say, "I heard the Orchestra in their heyday". This is a private event, open only to members of EJMS.
The Ensemble
The Merch Table
A small range of cream-and-gold merch, made to match the era. Prices are placeholders and checkout is coming soon — for now, email us to reserve anything below.
The New Album
Twelve great tunes of ragtime, blues & hot jazz. Available on Victor Records, 78 RPM shellac — though, as the poster admits, not actually recorded yet.
Heavy charcoal tee screen-printed with the orchestra crest — instruments, starbursts and the lot.
Heavy ceramic mug screen-printed with the orchestra's name in carnival lettering — the band-room essential for your morning brew.
Twelve early-jazz standards, recorded live in a single room. Liner notes by Jeremy.
Checkout coming soon
We're building a proper online shop. In the meantime, drop us an email with what you'd like and we'll hold it for you at the next gig.
Our Story
Every Saturday our children learn their instruments at Ealing Junior Music School. We stayed, borrowed a few stands, and the "Very Senior" orchestra was born. Six parents, one shared love of the original American jazz, and — for once — not a small child in sight.
Read our story6
parents
1915–30
the canon
Sat
is band day
The Rabbit Hole
A deep, loving archive for the serious listener — the story of early jazz, its great players, the grammar of the style, and the routines behind the notes. Plenty here to get lost in.
Enter the archiveReading
The Story of Jazz
From the streets of New Orleans to Chicago and Harlem — era by era, we trace how the music was made between 1915 and 1930.
Study
Styles & Chord Sheets
Ragtime, one-step, two-step and classic routines, with downloadable leadsheets and chord sheets for players who want to join in.
Interview
A Conversation with Jeremy
Our leader on the scholarship of early jazz, Saturday mornings at the school, and why the first decade of the music matters most.
Listening
Recordings & Great Artists
A curated shelf of essential recordings and profiles of the artists who built the original American jazz.
How-to
How to Play
Beginner-friendly guides to the front line, the rhythm section, and collective improvisation — for anyone picking up an instrument.
Links
Authoritative Resources
A hand-picked list of the websites, archives, and societies we trust for serious study of early jazz.