Sant Andreau Jazz Orchestra on YouTube

[Doghouse Riley]

This is a music school for very talented kids between the ages of seven until 21 in that "hot bed of Jazz," Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

I've followed their progress for several years. A classic "Big Band" set up and in the small groups what I call "vintage modern jazz."

There's any number of videos on YouTube.

Some are of the whole orchestra which can be supplemented with some soloists and others of the most accomplished students, in small groups, playing mostly concerts or in clubs around the Barcelona area. Lately Andrea Motis and their mentor Joan Chamorro have toured Europe in their smaller band  on occasions. 

To pick out a few.

Andrea Motis, the most talented and most recognised, plays trumpet, alto and soprano sax and has an excellent singing voice. She's 21 now,  so some of the  videos of her and of other instrumentalists  go back  several years.

at 17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCaGOvbPL4


at 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LYINPAqZn0


Eva Fernandez, plays "any saxophone you like," also sings.

at 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpTXL_P5Bhc

With her own group at 21 away from the orchestra now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3YuFKIQO_E

Rita Payes, plays trombone and sings

at 15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQd_eRDnVsA

at 20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfmPq2bg9cI

Magali Datsira, plays double bass and sings. Andrea and Eva sing backing vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykyTwtgicXA


They start them young,

Elsa  Armengou, trumpet,  at age 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUeOL8WpYAw

Her older sister., Alba Armengou,  trumpet and vocals.

at age 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjo75CFJjG4

(The other girls back in the body of the orchestra, Magali on bass, Andrea's little sister Carla  on guitar).



They grow up quick. Same girl last year at 14.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6knZkdvaNxs

Carla Motis,   Andrea's younger sister, age 15, guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQuc5EcyhZY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naUNewZB8zs


All girls together scat singing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNHa2580Kwo


Lots more on YouTube

[pmedina]

I'm being following that orchestra for some months, and enjoying the nice jazz they play. The soloists, at very early age are incredible.
Regards

[whataguy]

Been on board with this group from the beginning, very inspiring and whenever I hear of teenagers going bad I think about these kids. I often wonder how many people even consider that their improv is not written down anywhere, it comes from thier gut. No big note easy-play here. How do they even learn to do that? Thank you for this post. Don in MI

[RoyceM]

I've been following this work for years and am totally impressed with the ease with which these young folks (especially Andrea) connect with their music.

- Royce

[Doghouse Riley]

I'm even impressed by the "band uniform," a cheap T-shirt and their own jeans, or with the older girls, sometimes  in clubs,  dressed by the Spanish equivalent of Primark or whatever. Good for them. Unlike some less able college bands in the USA who have very impressive uniforms.

I believe they get a lot of help from the  professionals we see regularly, or occasionally in the small group that plays in clubs, the blind pianist, Ignasi Terraza, Scott Hamilton, tenor and Josep Traver, a very impressive jazz guitarist, (who can play in any style).

The latter here with a young Carla Motis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk9bsqHMNMc

Andrea Motis  has a huge vocal range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWxriapsDes

Here with Magali Datzira and Eva Fernandez, Dick Oatts  on alto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbUPOPatVNY

All singing in a foreign language. Nowhere in the world is there more talent in a collection of young jazz musicians.