About The Band

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Nepean All-City Jazz Band. Founded by Neil Yorke-Slader in 1987, this ensemble provides an opportunity for some of Ottawa-Carleton's talented young jazz musicians to develop and share their musical talent.

The Nepean All-City Jazz Band (known to many as 'NACJB' or simply 'All-City') is comprised of 18 musicians between the ages of 16 and 20 drawn from all over the greater Ottawa area. Many NACJB alumni have gone on to study music at prestigious institutions in Canada and the U.S., most with financial scholarship assistance awarded for excellence at Musicfest Canada's National Finals. NACJB has had great success at Musicfest Nationals, earning Gold standing in each of the past 20 years.

The Nepean All-City Jazz Band is recognized as one of the pre-eminent teenage jazz ensembles in Canada. Over the past 20 years, the band has been awarded numerous accolades, including the CMEA/MIAC Don Wright Award for excellence in Canadian Jazz (1993-1996, 1999-2004, and 2007-2008), and "The Jazz Report" magazine's award for Canadian Amateur Ensemble of the year (1995). NACJB has performed for conferences of the IAJE, CEMA and OMEA.

The Nepean All-City Jazz Band has performed with many internationally known jazz artists including :

* Alastair Kay
* Guido Basso
* Pat LaBarbara
* Denny Christianson
* John Nugent
* Jeff Jarvis
* Kelly Jefferson
* Steve McDade
* Alex Dean
* Ian McDougall
* Bob Mintzer
* Chase Sanborn
* Mike Tomaro
* Randy Brecker