The Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra program was founded by director Nicholas Dyson in Ottawa, Canada in January 2009 to create an opportunity for Ottawa's university music students to study and perform both classic and contemporary big band music. Members are drawn from the pool of talented young musicians from the three National Capital region post-secondary music programs, as well as a few exceptional high school students.

We have performed with many notable guests over the years - JUNO-Winner Bria Skonberg, Patrick Breiner, Jason Logue, Mike Webster, Lex French, Mark Ferguson, Mike Tremblay, Petr Cancura, Ed Lister and more.

CYJO proudly promotes and performs a large amount of Canadian content, and our performance at 2019 Ottawa International Jazz Festival will be 100% Canadian compositions. Some by members of the band, others by JUNO-Winner Christine Jensen, Mark Ferguson, Joe Sullivan, John Macleod, and of course Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass.

CYJO 10th Anniversary Alumni Band is made up of past members of CYJO, many of which are now working professional musicians.