“When God made James Morrison, he was showing off!” (guitarist Tommy Emmanuel)

Take a lively musical journey when James Morrison returns to the Perth Concert Hall to join the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra for one special night.

The award-winning trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and composer will guide the audience along the path of his incredible career. Featured will be past and present musicians who have both influenced and performed with him. “I can’t go anywhere else in Australia and play with a youth jazz orchestra this good,” says James Morrison about WAYJO, of which he is a proud patron. The impressive line-up includes this year’s James Morrison scholarship winner Konrad Paszkudzki on piano plus some of WAYJO’s most successful past members like dynamic jazz diva Libby Hammer and brilliant saxophonist Troy Roberts. Also joining the line-up will be the inspirational saxophonist Graeme Lyall, Morrison’s elder brother John who is consistently voted Australia’s best big band drummer and of course WAYJO’s award-winning musical director Mace Francis.

WA Youth Jazz Orchestra CEO Gayle Cargill says it’s a treat to have James Morrison back in Perth performing with them. “James is an outstanding role model,” says Gayle. “His very presence, with all that energy and vitality, brings a whole different level to the band who love working with him. “He’s so exciting to watch. He’ll have a trumpet in one hand, a trombone in the other and might even reach over and play something on the piano.”

“James is truly an amazing musician with the ability to make difficult things sound very easy,” she said. Gayle said it is highly entertaining watching the two brothers perform on stage together. “It is such fun as there is plenty of playfulness with James and John feeding off each other,” she said.

WAYJO presents James Morrison & Friends at the Concert Hall on Friday, August 1 at 7.30pm.

Tickets from BOCS Ticketing on 9484 1133 or www.bocsticketing.com.au