A school jazz ensemble from Gwynedd, who described themselves as being made up of 'little devils and angels' has won the televised Band Cymru Youth competition.

Band Jazz Ysgol Tryfan led by Hefin Evans repelled the high quality challenge of rivals Cardiff & Vale Music Service Jazz Orchestra, Torfaen Youth Big Band and the defending champion Greater Gwent Youth Band, to claim the first prize of £1,000 in front of a packed audience at the Grand Hall of Swansea University and an audience of tens of thousands sat at home.

Abundant talent

The 2018 Band Ieuenctid Cymru contest saw a number of brass bands, jazz, big band and fusion ensembles from across Wales try to qualify for the final, with the top four providing ample evidence of the abundant musical talent that is being nurtured up and down the country.

The importance of also financially supporting that emerging grass roots generation was remarked upon by chief adjudicator Wyn Davies.

Pointed address

The internationally acclaimed opera conductor made a pointed address before announcing the winner, imploring local authorities to "review"recent policies that had in his words seen the "disappearance of musical services".

He had nothing but praise however for the nation's inspirational teachers and conductors — four of which were leading their bands on the night — and which spilt the opinions of Gordon Campbell, Michael Mossman and himself as to a winner.

"We were not in absolute agreement, and the best piece was not played by the winning band. However, we were looking for overall quality and one band came closest to giving us that."

In shock

And to the delight and surprise of conductor Hefin Evans, that band was the school jazz ensemble from Gwynedd, who two years ago reached semi-final stage of the senior Band Cymru event.

"I'm in shock,"he said as he lifted the Band Ieuenctid Cymru trophy with tears in his eyes.

"We are delighted with the award, they have worked so hard and as you can see they are over the moon. Usually I have plenty to say, but I am speechless receiving this award."

It was an incredible achievement, as the ensemble hails from a single school of less than 500 pupils which rehearses once a week to meet their ambition of 'competing at the highest level'.

Dressed in cool 'Blues Brothers' white trilby hats and sunglasses they opened with the choreographed 'Uptown Funk', before moving into a suave 'Li'l Darlin' by Neil Hefti and closing with an exciting rendition of 'Latin Fantasy' by Consuelo Velazquez that grew in drama and pulsating energy to a rousing close.

"The music making was superb,"audience 'expert' Branwen Gwyn said. "The whole theatre of the performance worked really well and they finished off with a bang."

We are delighted with the award, they have worked so hard and as you can see they are over the moon. Usually I have plenty to say, but I am speechless receiving this awardwinning conductor, Hefin Evans

Top form

They certainly had to play to the top of their form, as Torfaen Youth Jazz Band, Cardiff & Vale Music Service Jazz Orchestra and defending champion Greater Gwent Youth Band each produced sets that showed engaging variety and style.

Torfaen, made up of pupils from various secondary school in the unitary authority area opened with 'Boogie Down' before moving through 'Blue Bossa' and 'Fiesta Bahia' with "confidence and enjoyment"according to Branwen.

Meanwhile, the area ensemble from Cardiff & Vale produced an "energetic"set that included the jazz standards of 'Car Wash', 'Moanin' and 'Channel One Suite' made famous by Buddy Rich.

Gwent defence

Led by Gareth Ritter, Greater Gwent Youth Band certainly gave their all in their attempt to successfully defend their title, with a sparkling, 'African Funk', followed by the contrasts of 'Pie Jesu' (featuring Maya Ross and Elliot King) and 'Duelin Xylos' (with Alex Evans and Robert Bull dressed as hillbillies) before closing with the fun and games of 'County Clambake'.

And as Michael Mossman said in summing up his feelings about the competition this year: "The things that make us human, bind us together and make life worth living are alive and well here and provide an example to the rest of us to learn from."

Few would argue, especially in regard to a remarkable school jazz ensemble from North Wales.

Watch again:

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