After the resounding success of last year’s Chanukah Jazz Evening, The Ladies’ Guild invited the Hillingdon Youth Jazz Band for a return visit to this year’s Chanucah Party held on Sunday 2 December 2018 which was sold out.

Rabbi Stanley Coten extended a very warm welcome to all who attended. The Rabbi lit the first Chanukah candle and the Jazz Band commenced the entertainment.

The 28 piece Jazz Band performed a wide repertoire including A Girl from Ipanema, In the Mood and Fly Me to the Moon. They also played a new piece a music called Zebrano which the Ladies Guild purchased out of the donation given to the Jazz Band for 2017.

We were honoured by the presence of Rabbi Livingston, who is the Senior Chaplain to the Armed Forces and as such was used to hearing brass bands playing and he thought the Hillingdon Jazz Band was definitely up to Armed Forces standards – no small accolade!

Menahem Briskman, Chairman of Ruislip Synagogue, said that we were privileged to be able to host this wonderful band for the second year running. The band is a credit to the London Borough of Hillingdon, and his only regret was the fact there was not enough space to accommodate all who wished to attend.

The Jazz Band has been a feature within the educational services of Hillingdon for over 40 years. The young musicians work with professional players; they perform at many events such as the Albert Hall, travelling on a 40ft lorry in a New Year’s celebration parade representing Hillingdon, plus their performances at local venues now including Ruislip Synagogue for the second year running.

The band rehearses on a weekly basis during term time and consists of trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a rhythm section. It is inspirational to see these youngsters playing so earnestly and showing the good side of some very talented teenagers. Their very dedicated music master, Melvyn Care, who plays an enormous part in improving their abilities and success, assists them, in no small way.

By Menahem Briskman