The Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble

Based in Guelph Ontario the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble (GYJE) provides young musicians with the opportunity to learn about and explore the world of jazz and improvised music.  The program was started in 2001 by the director Brent Rowan as a place for his private saxophone students to play together in a jazz quartet.  From there it grew to become an ensemble for youth in the community to learn about jazz styles and improvised music.  In 2006 it became the GYJE obtaining Not For Profit status in 2018.

Under the direction of Brent Rowan, original and standard jazz music is written and arranged specifically for the ensemble.  From Ellington-Herman-Davis-Gillespie-Elias-Coltrane and Derome, many styles of jazz and improvised music are explored.