Dales Jam is an off-shoot of the Blackburn based improvising community Jazz Ensemble, The Jam Factory, which was created in 1997 by Steve Berry. At the launch of the band the promotional material said "open to all and any who consider themselves nervously or otherwise as musicians ..... expect improvising, and much groovesome fun" This still applies today and the "groovesome fun" comes in big doses. It offers musicians of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience the buzz of live music. The band regularly puts on concerts in collaboration with guest soloists. From humble beginnings the band is now 45 strong and receives support from the North West Arts Council and the National Lottery.

The majority of the pieces the band plays are written by especially for the band, many of them by band members drawing upon Jazz music and it's traditions.

The down side is Blackburn is a long trek from the Yorkshire Dales for regular rehearsals. So under the guidance of the Jam Factories Musical Director, Richard Ormrod, and with a little prodding by myself, Ian Moulding, Dales Jam was born. We are now approaching our fifth anniversary and have over 25 members ranging in age and ability. The bands first live performance was in June 2004 as part of the Busk Aid day and we have successfully secured grants from Craven District Council and the National Lottery Awards For All fund.

Richard Ormrod is a Leeds based saxophonist working on many projects across the country. He complements his Jazz soul with contrasting Jamaican and Indian classical influences. As he is easily influenced there are hints of South Africa, Klezmer, Funk, Pop, Calypso, Cuban, Brazilian thrown in as well. It's a heady mix!

We play three Monday evenings out of four, at the Mart Theatre, Skipton. The band is eager to expand numbers. We have a wide age range (10 to 70) and varied instruments - some you might not normally expect to see in a jazz line up. 

The cost per quarter is £45 with a £5 joining fee - but the we don't charge for your first session, so come and try it out. for under 18's the cost per quarter is £18 with no joining fee.