Get on the Mainline to Darlington Jazz Festival

(Preview by Russell).

The fourth annual Darlington Jazz Festival returns this week (Thursday 23-Sunday 26 April) with a new look and a fantastic line-up! The festival launches the borough-wide Darlington Arts Festival running throughout May. Jazz fans will be spoilt for choice at various venues across the town centre. Concerts, jam sessions, street performances – it makes for a busy, memorable long weekend.

The Jazz Festival kicks-off with a workshop on Thursday evening at Crown Street Art Gallery and Library. Star trumpeter and jazz educator Matt Roberts returns to his home town to lead the event beginning at six o’clock. All abilities are encouraged to attend (Roberts will engage with everyone, rested assured) and at £6.00. it may well be the best six quid you’ll ever spend. Places are limited (Roberts’ popularity guarantees a large uptake), to check availability visit: www.darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com.

The Matt Roberts’ Sextet will set the performance standard in a Jazz After Dark concert  on Friday night at the Voodoo Café on Skinnergate (opposite Binns’ department store). Roberts will be playing the music of Fats Navarro. He is bringing in a superb band with Matt Anderson on tenor. Eagerly anticipated, this could be the gig that gets somewhere near capturing the levels of excitement generated by the Cookers’ triumphant appearance at last week’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival. On stage at 9:00pm (doors 8:30pm), get there early. Admission on the door is £7.00. Start queuing now!

Saturday (25th) offers something for everyone. Darlington Jazz Festival presents Coffee House Jazz at Clervaux Bakery. Early birds can get along to Darlington’s artisan bakery on Coniscliffe Road to hear jazz throughout the day and partake of a menu offering the most tempting of culinary delights. Jazz Comes to the Quakerhouse begins at one o’clock in the Camra-rated public house in Mechanics’ Yard. Not only does jazz come to the pub for the festival, it is to be one of the principal new homes of Darlington Jazz Club. This festival offering (1:00pm, £5.00.) includes the superb pianist Dean Stockdale, local lad Will Howard blowing up a storm and the fabulous Zoe Gilby accompanied by first call guitarist Mark Williams. In the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall at seven o’clock there is a set-piece occasion. The award-winning Durham Alumni Big Band will be in concert with two award-winning soloists of international standing. Multi instrumentalist Al Wood and Bruce Adams will join the band in an evening of big band swing. Billy May, Basie and others will be in the pad. Listen out for trumpeter Tom Hill playing Memories of You alongside Adams. The Durham County Youth Big Band will feature in a support set. The young musicians on the stand will, no doubt, graduate to the senior ranks. A grand night is in store. Tickets (£10.00.) are available from the Dolphin Centre on Bull Wynd. A late night in Darlington isn’t a bad idea – head from the Dolphin Centre to the Quakerhouse (two minutes’ walk) for a Late Night Jam starting at ten thirty. Admission is free although donations would be appreciated.

Sunday (26th), the final day of the Darlington Jazz Festival. An Afternoon of Big Bands and Jazz Combos at St Augustine’s Parish Centre (Larchfield Street) features two big bands and a compact touring trio. The mighty Darlington Big Band will hold court and the juniors - Darlington Little Big Band - will have their turn in the spotlight. By way of contrast, bassist/vocalist Nicola Farnon performs with regular collaborators Piero Tucci (keyboards, saxophones and accordion) and drummer Phil Johnson. Starting at 2:00pm, admission is £6.00. The closing event of this year’s Darlington Jazz Festival will be at the same venue on Larchfield Street beginning at half past five. Presented by Darlington Jazz Club, the Simon Read Octet will guarantee a fantastic finale. Bassist Read will have Sam Gardner (drums) alongside, the piano stool will be occupied by the brilliant Jamil Sheriff and rising star trumpeter Laura Jurd should draw the crowds. Admission £6.00. Why not take advantage of a £10.00. ticket deal for both concerts at St Augustine’s?

For details of the 2015 Darlington Jazz Festival: darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com       

Russell.