The Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra is the SJO's companion ensemble, made up of student musicians between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two from across the city, and directed by Nick Fanner.

Members audition each fall and rehearse weekly from October through to the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in July. The group performs regularly on SJO concert bills and at the festival, and its recording projects have included original compositions written by its own members.

The SYJO exists to give emerging Saskatchewan players the experience of writing for and performing in a large jazz ensemble, and runs with the ongoing support of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra's board.