Preston-based Jack Yerkess is an accountant by day – but by night, he transforms into a jazz trombonist.
Jack runs his own big band, The Jack Yerkess Big Band, as well as the Jack Yerkess Quartet. The big band attracts players from around the North West, from Morecambe to the Wirral.
Jack said: “I started out on guitar and drums but switched to trombone at the age of 12 on the advice of my father David, who is a trumpeter. I then did brass bands and eventually moved on to jazz. It was a good move because ensembles are always short of trombones.”
As if to prove the point, Jack will this Sunday be helping out one of the North West’s best large ensembles when DGKollective perform at The Continental in Broadgate.
DGKollective is the resident big band at Manchester’s renowned jazz club, Matt & Phred’s. An 18-piece ensemble that includes 13 horns and a rhythm section with two keyboards, the group is led by director Andrew Turnbull.
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Andrew said: “We’ve never performed in Preston before. Hopefully we will make a good impression and pick up a few supporters. We’ll be including jazzy takes on classic TV/film scores.
“Jack is helping out as our lead trombonist is overseas at present, so we are grateful to him.”
Promoter Paul Rigby – who also runs The Northern Jazz Orchestra – believes there’s been a resurgence of interest in the big band scene among players of all ages. Paul knows local lad Jack and describes him as a “great and enthusiastic supporter to the big band cause.”
The DGKollective concert will take place at The Conti on Sunday 2 November from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are available from Skiddle.
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