SOME of the best young jazz players in the region are tuning up for a sensational sounding showpiece.

And what a night it promises to be as the rich and silky smooth sounds of Brewery Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Lancashire Youth Jazz Orchestra combine under the Brewery Arts Centre’s roof for a gig tomorrow night (Saturday, 8pm).

Numbers such as Rainy Nights in Georgia and big band classics will feature and each outfit will play its own set before joining forces for a finale.

Brewery Youth Jazz Orchestra was formed in 2006 under the leadership of music development officer Catherine Sewell.

From seven members BYJO has grown to 20, with the ‘friends’ of the Kendal arts centre giving a helping hand on the financial front to buy sheet music and equipment.

Catherine and her charges have worked with some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians, including Denys Baptiste, Dennis Rollins, Andy Scholfield, and Snake Davis to name but a few.

However, tomorrow night’s show will be the last for BYJO trumpeters James Perkins and Jack Grossman and vocalist Kat West, who all leave in September for university.

Catherine said: “All three have been with the jazz orchestra since the very beginning and they have been a huge credit to the band.

“Although I am really sorry to see them go, I’m very proud that they’re all going to study music or music-related subjects and I’m sure they will go on to have very successful careers.”

Lancashire Youth Jazz Orchestra, led by Stuart Grills, has been supporting the musical development of young jazz musicians for 34 years.

Catherine graduated from the Lancashire outfit nine years ago before going on to study jazz at Leeds College of Music.

Stuart was her band leader and she’s thrilled to be sharing the stage once again with her former mentor.

“I got so much from my four years playing with them as a teenager and I hope I can give the same fantastic experience to those in BYJO.

“Seeing musicians improve and develop over the years has been hugely rewarding,” Catherine said.

“Some of the musicians in the band have gone on to form their own groups with people they have met through BYJO and are starting to get bookings for local functions and events. These guys and girls are the pro musicians of the future.”

The Brewery has in recent times developed as a centre for jazz education and, earlier this year, was selected as one of only five venues UK-wide to host the National Youth Jazz Collective workshops.

n Tickets from the Brewery box office on 01539-725133.