Today, Sunday looks like being the Sunday to end all Sundays except it is but the beginning!
The action takes place in the Bridge Hotel, appropriately sited at the Newcastle end of the High Level Bridge, where a cast, comprising of the regions Prima "Donna Lee's," will strut it.
The event is entitled Splinter, so it is only fitting that 'Splinter' - the shavings from the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra should fire the opening shots.
They are a fantastic octet(?) with some brilliant arrangements and knockout soloists.
Splinter are there from High (Level) Noon.
-----
1:15 in the post meridien sees HCW step up to the plate. Christos Worsley on bass, Ed Carr on guitar and John Hirst on drums are known and fondly remembered from the Side Café so look for some jazz funk grooves.
-----
ACV was formed by Bassist Andy Champion as a vehicle to showcase his compositions. The music draws from his main influences - Jazz, Progressive Rock and Metal with a healthy amount of free-improvisation thrown in for good measure. 2:15 blast off.
-----
An hour later, Mark Williams - in my humble opinion, definitely the North-east's, probably the UK's, possibly even The World's most versatile Irish jazz guitarist living in Newcastle, takes over for a trio set. (ps: I bet he's pretty big on Jupiter too!)
-----
At 4:15 it really is High Noon with La deux Chanteuse d'Cullercoats going head to head. Zoe and Ruth are in training for this one!
-----
5:15 sees Claude Werner unleashing the fastest tenor saxophone around - this guy don't take no prisoners this guy. Nor does his quartet. Powerful.
-----
6:15 it's the turn of the Safe Sextet who tunnelled out of the Jazz Cafe to be here. They should take some fans back with them - solid band.
-----
7:15 If you'e still standing, Saxophonics will show you just how a saxophone ensemble should sound - their accuracy is frightening!
-----
8:15 Alter Ego tread the boards - bebop and beyond is spoken there!
-----
9:15 Tiptoe carefully across the dead bodies that, after 9 hours of drinking in the music and the ale, have succumbed to one or the other. Choose a seat facing the direction of your homeward journey because, when Extreme Measures light the blue touchpaper you ain't gonna need no Metro or taxi cab. This is music that will lift you out of your seat and send you home rejoicing on a wing and a prayer.
-----
All this for a mere £4! Sounds like a bargain to end all bargains - start queing now.
I said at the beginning that this was the beginning and it is - Sunday evenings at the Bridge are going to be the place to be beginning the week after.
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment