Doncaster Jazz Alumni

DJA is a professional ensemble made up of past members of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. Their mission is simple: Give back to music what it gave to them - unforgettable experiences, friendship, skills for life and wonderful memories. Everything DJA do is to help future generations of musicians both in our region and further afield - they feel passionately that music should be accessible for ALL children and yet that is not the case in today’s society.

DJA want to change that. Therefore, EVERYTHING they do and sell is NOT FOR PROFIT. The musicians have all agreed that they should not profit from DJA and so concert fees and ticket sales all go towards financing projects that benefit the next generation of musicians.

The Doncaster Jazz Alumni (DJA) have now combined to form one of the UKs outstanding Jazz Orchestras, marking the golden anniversary of the DYJO, showcasing the remarkable journey and enduring legacy of its founder, John Ellis MBE, as well as their own individual and collective achievements.

Their debut album, 50 years, which DJA recorded with a special intention to try and help support students at the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA) and has gone onto receive critical acclaim. The band are now looking to perform their repertoire of well-known composers and arrangers from around the world, including Bob Florence, Bob Brookmeyer, Francy Boland, Sammy Nestico, Tom Kubis and Bob Mintzer also celebrating icons of British jazz, playing original compositions by Allan Ganley, Al Wood, Laurence Cottle and Steve Parry.