HOME . . . AND AWAY

There was a time when jazz promoters drew almost entirely on two pools - a foundation of British bands (mainly based in London), and visiting stars from the USA.

Not any more. You can now find immensely creative jazz across the globe; still from America, of course, but also throughout Europe, and in every major city in the UK - with Newcastle very much in the mix. Jazz North East is committed to celebrating this diversity, and our programme over the coming months reflects this.

From the international kaleidoscope we start in May with an appearance from vocalist Elena Duni, born in Albania and now resident in Switzerland. Then, just a few days later, we welcome the spellbinding Italian trio Trioness, led by bass player Federica Michisanti. And in June we sustain our wonderfully productive relationship with the Dutch jazz scene, delivering a double bill of the trio ‘Under the Surface’ and a new sextet, LoLanders, that brings together musicians from the Netherlands and Scotland.

Scotland, of course, can be viewed as either international or domestic! Either way, there’s further representation in the shape of saxophonist Laura Macdonald, in a duo with one of our favourite pianists, Zoe Rahman (herself of Bangladeshi heritage). That’s one of two female duos in the programme, the other being pianist Alcyona Mick and saxophonist Tori Freestone - who also puts in an appearance with her own trio.

And there’s so much more. Home or away? Does it even matter? Whether the musicians come from Tyneside or Tirana, the first thing we look for is creative quality, and we’re confident that that’s what our programme delivers.

So, come and join us in celebrating the rich world of international jazz!

COMING SOON

12th April @ the Lit & Phil
Meraki + The Early Bird band
Award winning pianist Jacky Naylor showcases his original music with his outstanding Birmingham-based trio, with support from Tyneside’s own Early Bird Band.

18th April @ the Lit & Phil
Archipelago + Paul Taylor
Tyneside’s high flying trio Archipelago share a double bill with innovative pianist Paul Taylor, with a short bonus set from the four musicians together.

23rd May @ the Black Swan
Elina Duni + Trio FCT
Albanian born singer and multi-instrumentalist Elina Duni takes a highly individual jazz approach to her Balkan roots, with support from Tyneside’s folk-meets-improv Trio FCT.

26th May @ the Bridge Hotel
Federica Michisanti’s Trioness
Brilliant Italian bassist leads her bass/piano/saxophone trio, like a contemporary version of the great Jimmy Giuffre groups of the 1960s.

13th June @ the Black Swan
Tori Freestone Trio
Welcome return to Tyneside for the outstanding saxophonist and her well established trio.

14th June @ the Lit & Phil
Tori Freestone & Alcyona Mick
A second appearance for the saxophonist, this time in free flowing musical conversation with acclaimed pianist Alcyona Mick.

20th June @ the Black Swan
Durham University Big Band
The 2019 edition of DUBB showcase their extraordinarily versatile approach at their final, celebratory gig of the academic year.

23rd June @ the Bridge Hotel
Under the Surface + LoLanders
Wonderful double bill featuring Dutch vocalist Sanne Rambags with the ‘Under the Surface’ trio, and a newly created Scottish-Dutch sextet built around a front line of saxophone and viola.

7th July @ the Bridge Hotel
John Pope Quintet
Bassist John Pope unveils new material from his hand-picked quintet, drawn from the cream of the North’s jazz scene.

16th July @ the Lit & Phil
Zoe Rahman & Laura Macdonald
Unfailingly creative pianist Zoe Rahman teams up with Scottish saxophonist Laura Macdonald to explore a mix of jazz standards and original compositions.

For full details of each of these gigs, click on the band name.