Jazz Breaking News: Debbie Harry, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling, And Martin Taylor Confirmed For Gateshead International Jazz Festival

The instantly recognisable singer whose hits include ‘Rapture’, ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘Sunday Girl’ and more recently ‘Maria’ has performed alongside the Jazz Passengers before, having appeared on their 1994 album Jazz Passengers In Love; with the backing of an orchestra it promises to be an exciting show.

Now in its seventh year the Gateshead Jazz Festival, the first major UK jazz festival of 2011, which runs from 25-27 March, sports an impressive line-up encompassing a wide array of talent and styles, who will gather at the festival from the UK, US and Europe. British jazz legends such as Cleo Laine will return to the festival performing alongside her children, Alec Dankworth and Jacqui Dankworth, after performing a sell-out show at the festival two years ago.

Also among those performing at the festival are acclaimed saxophonist Joe Lovano with his group Us5; British guitarist Martin Taylor; Kurt Elling the American jazz singer who will be showcasing his upcoming highly anticipated album; and MC / alto saxophonist Soweto Kinch, who will be at the festival performing his mix of jazz and hip hop and who also has a recently released album to showcase, The New Emancipation. And in a return to the place of his birth, Gateshead-born guitarist Chris Sharkey will be performing with his band trioVD.

One of the attractions of this year’s Gateshead Jazz Festival is its focus on audience participation through workshops and master classes. Cleveland Watkiss will be hosting singing workshops, there is the opportunity to join the festival choir and many of the artists performing will be teaching and inspiring the new generation of jazz in a multitude of master classes. However, these are just some of the highlights of the festival and for complete listings, tickets and how to get there, check out the festival website.

– Colm Doyle

For more go to www.thesagegateshead.org