Press release: US Guitar Star Julian Lage To Perform Biggest UK Show To Date At 2700-Capacity Royal Festival Hall

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Julian Lage will perform his biggest UK headline show to date at the Royal Festival Hall on May 15, 2026, bringing his new quartet to London following the release of his latest Blue Note album Scenes From Above.

Released earlier this year, Scenes From Above is Lage’s fifth album for Blue Note Records and the second produced by the celebrated Joe Henry. The album introduces a new ensemble featuring keyboardist John Medeski, bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Kenny Wollesen.

Where 2024’s GRAMMY-nominated Speak to Me presented Lage as an improvising bandleader guiding a large ensemble through an expansive set of compositions, Scenes From Above reflects a different creative approach. Here, Lage positions himself as part of a deeply collaborative group dynamic, exploring new music written specifically for the quartet.

Famous Newcastle music store JG Windows to be transformed into huge restaurant - Chronicle Live

Interesting - read more HERE.

Richard Wetherall Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - April 12

© Jeff Pritchard

Richard Wetherall  (keyboards, vocals); Rick Halliwell (alto/soprano sax); Tim Williams (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

As expected there was a good turnout for this show and for a change I decided to take a seat in the middle of the room instead of at the front.

This proved a good move as for a four-piece unit they generated quite a powerful sound.  

Wetherall can do no wrong in my opinion but tonight he had some surprises in store such as singing on a couple of standards and doing a great job of announcing the tunes etc. in a very amusing manner.  

Sunday night @ the Globe: SH#RP Collective - April 12

© Richard Davies

Nigel Robson (trombone); Karen Rann (soprano sax); Mark Squires (piano); Dave Parker (double bass); Michael Howard (drums)

Sunday night at The Globe and tonight’s offering was a group of five musicians at least some of whom who could claim the Globe as their spiritual home. They either volunteer their time there or they are members of the various Globe music programmes like the regular Wednesday session Take it to the Bridge.

Having seen earlier versions of the band I was expecting an entertaining evening of GASbook standards. But there was not an Autumn Leaves or a Summertime in sight. Instead the band set their stall out from the first tune, an original penned by pianist Mark Squires called R and B.  Other originals from the pen of Mr.Squires featured throughout, reflective pieces like What I Think About When I Think About Walking or Pandemonic written during Covid with a Latin groove that allowed sax and trombone to trade off each other to great effect.  

Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Apr. 11

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Stuart McLean-Fowler (MD); Paul Skerritt (vocals); Dan Johnson, Kim Skerritt, Sue Ferris, Josh Bentham, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Sam Armstrong, Benny Coxon, Dave Hignett, Michael Lamb (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Alex Utting, Laura Davison; Chris Gray (trombones); Jeremy McMurray (keyboards); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Dave McKeague (drums) + Ruth Stapleton (vocals)

The Glasshouse. Hall Two. The first two tiers sold out. The Paul Skerritt Big Band, with the Main Man waiting in the wings, opened with Big Swing Face. The casual punter could be forgiven for thinking they were in for an evening of straight ahead big band jazz. Enter the Main Man...

Mr Paul Skerritt likes to have a good time and he all but insists you should have a good time too. From the off, the wisecracks came thick and fast. Skerritt is your ideal 'Rat Pack' entertainer. Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Curtis Stigers were but three names Skerritt happily namechecked. Witty repartee ensued, whether between the Main Man and his audience or the Main Man and his band. Sitting/hiding in the trombone section, Kieran Parnaby was frequently on the end of Skerritt's barbs. Mind you, Parnaby gave as good as he got!

 

Jake Leg Jug Band @ Saltburn Community Hall - Apr. 10

Duncan Wilcox (double bass, vocals); Warren James (banjo, guitar, vocals); Cohen Wilcox (washboard); Phil Shotton (bass sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet); Andy Henderson (cornet, flugelhorn)

On a breezy, blue sky day, Saltburn Community Hall looked a picture. Walking into the timber-framed hall, the pre-gig hard work had been done - tables and chairs set out, candles being lit, the audience soon to arrive. The Jake Leg Jug Band is a popular outfit in Saltburn-by-the-Sea...  

Joe Steels: Celebrating Wes Montgomery @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church - Apr. 10

Joe Steels (guitar); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

Full House. An apt opening number here at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. Wes Montgomery the subject, Joe Steels the interpreter of the late, great American's music, Bishop Auckland Jazz is certainly pulling in the crowds. 

On a sunny day up on Cockton Hill Road, locals, and the not so local, turned out to hear guitarist Steels, pianist Dean Stockdale, bassist and gig promoter Mick Shoulder, and drummer Abbie Finn play a one hour 'Wes Montgomery' set.

Press statement: Mike Westbrook OBE (March 12, 1936 - April 11, 2026)

It is with very great sadness that I announce the death of jazz composer, pianist and band leader Mike Westbrook who died peacefully at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday 11th April.

He is survived by his wife, musical collaborator and muse Kate Westbrook and by his son Guy, daughter Joanna and his step children Josie, Clio and Jason Barnard.

Steve White Trio + Matt Deighton @ The Cluny, Newcastle - April 10

Steve White (drums); Chris Hague (bass, guitar, vocals); Joel White (keyboards, vocals)

I’ve never had to park so far away when visiting the Cluny in the past. This, it turned out, was not because of the pulling power of Mr White’s Trio but because Ouseburn is on the up with more pubs and bars than I’ve seen before. Inside the Cluny the background music is impassioned northern soul and the funk of Mr James Brown. The quality of the music did not, however, inspire the audience to dancing.

Nine of the clock sees the band on stage and rolling into the driving r’n’b of album opener Camera Obscura and its steady piano pulse. It’s tight and urban with occasional diversions into something more pastoral; Steve W solid at the back with frequent wilder flurries. From there, they are straight into an organ driven blues march. It’s pure ‘60s but could do with a guitar to slash and burn over the top. The swirling organ keeps the energy and momentum up. Steve’s pummelling solo keeps the rhythm driving and explodes around it, ending with a wave of cymbals. Then it’s into some driving urban funk with the organ leading from the front, swirling and swinging like musical aeronautics; lots of snap and pop like the soundtrack to a 60 year old spy caper.

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen.

Playlist 12/04/26 (repeated Tuesday 14/04/26)

Seasonal: Chris Barber, Bud Powell.

New Release: Michael Bede Dunlop (Bede Quartet).

Requests from the Bede Quartet: Steve Lehman, Joel Ross, Paul Motian.

Memories: Monty Sunshine.

Request: Sammy Davis Jr.

More Memories: Carmen McRae, Johnny Dodds, Herbie Hancock.

Tony Eales' Best of British Big Bands: Phil Collins Big Band

What’s on in the NE: The Ben Crosland Quintet.

Request: Camilla George.

Seasonal: Ella & Louis.

Request: Chick Corea.

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker.