Saturday 6 April.
Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Yorkshire ’s
Paul Baxter brings in his trio Eyes Shut
Tight featuring pianist Jonny Tomlinson and drummer Kristoffer Wright. The
band played a set earlier this year at the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle and this festival appearance will
further enhance their growing reputation. The amiable bassist is composer in
chief and the set will focus on the trio’s latest CD The Thaw.
Jazz from the North.
3:00 pm
(Preview by Russell)
The Northern Rock Foundation Hall
transforms itself into the Jazz Lounge
for the duration of the festival. For some, the space is a favourite of the
three principal halls. The Saturday afternoon session features four bands and
this year the theme is celebrating the
vibrant jazz scene from the north of the UK
and Europe .
The European component in jazz from the north features a young Finnish quartet led by trumpet
Verneri Pohjola. Garnering five star
reviews and critical acclaim the quartet - pianist Aki Rissanen, double bassist
Antti Lotjonen and Joonas Riipa (drums) – will surely be a ‘must hear’ session.
Drummer Tom Bancroft, a firm friend of the Sage Gateshead, introduces Trio Red, a new collaboration with pianist
Tom Cawley and Norwegian double bassist Per Zanussi.
The afternoon closes with
the mighty ACV. Andy Champion calls
into the Sage mid-tour with a new CD to promote. The quintet will hit the
ground running and will, likely as not, deliver a killer set. Bassist/composer
Champion has assembled a formidable group - Graeme Wilson (reeds), Mark
Williams (guitar), Paul Edis (keyboards) and drummer Adrian Tilbrook - to realise
his ideas incorporating seemingly disparate elements including prog rock (!),
metal, improv and jazz. Chris Sharkey has produced the new CD. It augurs well.
A visit to the bar for a celebratory pint will follow but not before you have
queued to purchase the new CD! All four bands will have CDs for sale.
Russell.
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