Mark Nightingale and the Al Wood 9 as headline artists for Darlington Jazz Festival 2014 on 26th and 27th April

Darlington Jazz Festival 2014 is excited to be at the start of what promises to be a fantastic, diverse Arts Festival for Darlington and our region. This is the third year the Jazz Festival has ran, and we are excited to raise the bar once again by providing a platform for both local and regional talent, yet attracting incredibly talented National Artists prominent on today’s jazz scene such as Mark Nightingale and The Al Wood 9.

The festival this year will be expanding and will run from Thursday 24^th April until Sunday 27^th April 2014. It will be based at The Forum Music Centre (www.theforumonline.co.uk) and Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum

(http://www.darlington.gov.uk/Leisure/headofsteam/) with a fringe event at Voodoo Café (www.Voodoocafe.co.uk). There will be over 20 bands playing throughout the weekend, and we forecast an audience of 150-200 at all times based on a sell-out festival the last 2 years.

Mark Nightingale has gained a reputation as one of the top-flight jazz trombonists worldwide. In the UK he plays regularly in bands lead by Andy Panayi, Alan Barnes, Laurence Cottle and Stan Tracey. Mark has recorded and played with artists from all genres including Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Sting, Scott Hamilton, Cleo Laine, Charlie Watts, Frank Sinatra, Kenny Wheeler, James Morrison and Steely Dan.

The Al Wood 9 is made up of some of the region’s best jazz musicians, re-creating the music of the great big bands, especially arranged by Al Wood for this line-up, plus new arrangements of classic standards. The band comprises of: Al Wood (leader, trumpet, saxes), Jim Corry, James Russell (alto sax), Stuart MacDonald, Simon Kaylor (tenor sax), Sam Thornton (baritone sax), Graham Hearn (piano), Garry Jackson (bass), Bob Howard (drums).

"This was real music played by real musicians" Ian Darrington, Wigan Jazz Club, whilst Pat McCarthy of Cleethorpes Jazz Festival quotes “From the first note to the last, the band was brilliant”

This year we are expanding to a four day programme over a variety of venues:

·        Thursday 24^th April – a jazz improvisation workshop led by Matt Roberts with sectional tutors at The Forum Music Centre

·        Friday 25^th April – Latin Band Burundanga at Voodoo Café

·        Saturday 26^th April – Jazz Festival session 1 and 2 at The Forum Music Centre

·        Sunday 27^th April – Jazz Festival session 3 and Jazz Club at Head of Steam (Darlington Railway Museum)

The Jazz Festival is split up into different sessions and price options over the Saturday and Sunday
Saturday 26^th April – Session 1 (1pm-6pm in the following order)

Durham County Youth Big Band, Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion, Jamil Sheriff Trio, Debra Milne Ensemble, Darlington Big BandDurham County Youth Big Band
Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion
Jamil Sheriff Trio
Debra Milne Ensemble
Darlington Big Band                                       

Saturday 26^th April – Session 2 (7pm-1am in the following order)

Tom Stephenson and friends,  Mark Nightingale with the Durham Alumni Big Band, Late Night Jazz Session with Alan Law, JazzTones and Guest Artists

Sunday 27^th April – Session 3 (11am-6pm in the following order)

Jazz in my pants, Tyne Valley Big Band, The Slowlight Quartet, ACV, Workshop performance and Tutors band, Djangologie, Alter Ego

Sunday 27^th April – Jazz Club (6pm-9pm in the following order)

Little Big Band, The Al Wood 9

Early bird tickets are due to go on sale early March and can be purchased by contacting the Forum on 01325 363135. These tickets are for a limited time only at a reduced rate before full ticket allocation will be released. The festival has sold out the previous 2 years, so please secure your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

The Workshop which is held at The Forum Music Centre on Thursday 24^th April is a Jazz and improvisation workshop for all ages and abilities led by Matt Roberts with sectional tutors. This workshop always fills up quickly, so contact us to secure your place sooner rather than later! You can do this by emailing us at darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com or calling 07538772368.

More information on bands and ticket options/prices can be found on our website: www.darlingtonjazzfestival.co.uk

or contact us on 07538772368 / darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com

Darlington Jazz Festival would like to thank: Jazz North, The Forum Music Centre, Head of Steam, Darlington Borough Council, Durham Music Service, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, Voodoo Café, Darlington for Culture, Darlington Jazz Club, Novol, Hummersknott ActiveJazz North, The Forum Music Centre, Head of Steam, Darlington Borough Council, Durham Music Service, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, Voodoo Café, Darlington for Culture, Darlington Jazz Club, Novol, Hummersknott Active.