Jazz breaking news: Gateshead Jazz Festival Unveils Line-Up
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Abdullah Ibrahim, Stan Tracey (left), The Scottish Jazz National Orchestra, Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra, Gwilym Simcock and Dan Berglund have all been confirmed for next year’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival, the first major UK jazz festival of the year taking place from 26-28 March.
Berglund, the bassist in EST, will present his new quartet and performs with it for the first time at a festival in the UK, while Stan Tracey unveils material from his new album The Later Works at the Sage, the iconic north east venue which hosts the festival programmed by Ros Rigby and John Cumming of Serious.
One of the new features of this year’s festival, is Indo-Jazzwise, which was first put on by Jazzwise last year at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London. Arun Ghosh who was featured in the first outing returns with his band joined by Shri in a double bill and the festival will also host a range of pre-show talks by Jazzwise writer Alyn Shipton.
North-east jazz talent is represented by Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea, James Birkett and Rod Sinclair’s Jazz Guitar Duo, plus a new commission by Jason Yarde for the north east's Voice of the North.
A new British band showcase will also feature Loop Collective bands Phronesis, Gemini, and the Golden Age of Steam. Other acts set to appear include Hession, Wilkinson and Fell; a DJ set by Mike Chadwick; The Raymond Scott Experience with the Stu Brown Sextet, and singer Gwyneth Herbert.
– Stephen Graham
To book phone 0191 443 4661 or go to www.thesagegateshead.org