It’s time to make some noise! JAMBOREE is a vibrant piece of gig-theatre made for and with teenagers with have profound and multiple learning disabilities. Each tune in the gig has been co-created with a young person who is non-verbal. Audiences experience live music, colourful tactile costumes, sousaphone vibrations and interactive music and noise making.

At the heart of Jamboree is the travelling ensemble who collect tunes and rhythms from those who are rarely listened to. The music was originally inspired by improvisations between professional musicians and young musicians, many of whom do not communicate through verbal language.

The Jamboree band is an ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians: vocalists Dunja Botic and Jovana Backovic, and instrumentalists Robyn Steward, Aaron Diaz and Daniel Gouly, with additional vocals from Griff Fender and Mark Foster. Lyrics are written by spoken word artist and disability activist, Miss Jacqui.

In this piece I work as as sound designer, performer, and co-composer alongside the rest of the Oily Cart team to build a multi-sensory show that builds on the creative work of children with complex needs. The show is built around music and dance from communities across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, creating an experience that combines traditional music and new technology in innovative and accessible ways. From 2019 onwards, this show has engaged diverse audiences throughout the UK, with performances at Schools, Art Centres, Theatres and Festivals, to doorstep shows for those shielding from Covid-19, and onto international touring in 2021.

In 2020 we also recorded an album of the show; ‘Jamboree: The Album’ is an inclusive, immersive musical experience developed for everyone of all ages to enjoy together. The Album contains all the songs and music from the different versions of the show, and includes soundscape interludes of interactions between young musicians, audiences and the cast. Here’s some little tasters: