ON Thursday, April 21 the Moon Jazz and Blues Club at Buccaneer’s Bar in Crediton was host to a youth jazz takeover.

The Queen Elizabeth’s School music department joined forces with the Exeter College music department to provide an evening of top quality entertainment.

Roz Harding brought along her Exeter College Jazz project, Iowerth Pugh led his Exeter College Big Band and Lucy Welsman presented the QE jazz band to a packed audience at the local venue.

Whilst the QE jazz band have performed once before at the Moon Jazz and Blues night, this was the first time that such a collaboration had happened and all of the staff and students involved had a very rewarding evening.

The Jazz Project played a set of modern, experimental jazz, including a song by the infamous Snarky Puppy, and wowed the audience with their improvisation skills.

The Exeter College big band played a selection of swing classics and had the audience dancing in their seats, whilst QE included well-known songs such as Uptown Funk and Feelin’ Good.

This was their first ever gig for many of the QE musicians and they did the school and themselves proud. Huge thanks to all involved especially Andrew Vaccari for allowing the youth takeover of his very successful jazz club.

A similar event is planned for next year.

Lucy Welsman