Talented 16 – 24 year olds in jazz ensembles are taking
their first high-profile public performances including a date at Gateshead
International Jazz Festival (4-6 APR). The opportunities have come from a new
performance development programme, launched by the jazz development
organisation for the north of England
Jazz North assembled a panel of industry specialists,
including internationally-acclaimed guitarist Mike Walker, to select the very
best young band deserving of this cherished opportunity. The winning band was
Stretch Trio, a new band from Leeds combining
jazz, ambient and rock influences. The trio features Andy French (21) on
saxophone, Tom Higham (20) on drums and Calvin Travers (21) on guitar.
Stretch Trio will perform at the Gateshead International
Jazz Festival on April 6 as part of the Youth Jazz Afternoon which includes
performances by Sage Gateshead based regional youth jazz ensemble Jambone with
musician/composer Rick Taylor who were recently invited to perform at the House
of Commons by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG).
Stretch Trio have only been together for 6 months but in
that time have developed a tight and individual band sound, and have written 7
original tunes and arranged jazz standards in some unusual ways. They have
recorded a three track EP and played in Lancashire and West
Yorkshire , and are sure to be invited to play plenty more
throughout 2014.
The ‘Jazz North Introduces’ scheme takes its inspiration
from ‘mjf introduces’, pioneered by Manchester Jazz Festival in 2010 in
response to the quantity and quality of young jazz musicians and groups
emerging onto the local scene, either through music colleges or via other less
formal networks. The opportunity is provided as a ’next step’ in young
professional musicians’ careers.
Youth Jazz Afternoon - Jazz
North Introduces Stretch Trio
followed by Jambone with Rick Taylor comes to Sage Gateshead on April 6, 2014.
Tickets are free but ticketed and can be booked either by calling 0191 443
4661, online at www.sagegateshead.com or in person from Sage Gateshead’s
Ticket Office.
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