GIJF Day 3: Afternoon Jazz

(Review by Russell)
The concourse at the Sage Gateshead boasts picturesque views of the Tyne, its bridges and the city of Newcastle over on the north bank. The platform offered free events throughout the weekend spanning the one hundred years’ history of the music celebrated at the 2013 Gateshead International Jazz Festival. 

The concert hall performers competed for the attention of the jazz audience but some of the free to all performances were a ‘must hear’. One such was the set by James Birkett and Bradley Johnston. Two guitarists, a generation apart, as one as exponents of the finest in jazz guitar. Johnston, the student player, took the lead on one tune after another. A half hour set flew by - Wave, Chicken a la Swing, Farmer’s Trust, Nuages, Spain - with the younger man on top form as soloist and rhythm maker. Dr Birkett clearly enjoyed working with Johnston and there was, perhaps, justifiable pride in hearing his protégé perform with distinction.         

Russell.