The Greek God of Vasilis

(Preview by Russell/photo by Jerry).

Later this month Vasilis Xenopoulos makes a return visit to the north east. The London-based tenor saxophonist has three engagements in the book working with his friend Paul Edis. Their enduring friendship sees Xenopoulos making an annual visit to the region to play swinging GAS book material at two key venues; the Traveller’s Rest in Darlington and the Black Bull, Blaydon. This year there will be an additional opportunity to catch a duo performance and a big band session at Ushaw College, Durham.

The Darlington gig is on Friday 23 October. If last year’s visit is anything to go by a sell-out is on the cards. A snaking queue formed down the stairs fully half an hour before the doors opened – a sure sign that the Opus 4 Jazz Club regulars at the Traveller’s Rest had every intention of bagging a seat, ensuring they wouldn’t have to stand all night! There’s a very real prospect of a full house. Arrive early! On the Sunday (25) Vasi and Paul head to the Black Bull to play at the long-running Blaydon Jazz Club. The lounge doesn’t have a huge capacity, so, if you want to get in, arrive by seven o’clock (the first set will start at eight o’clock prompt). Working on both gigs will be double bassist Andy Champion and Russ Morgan (drums). Vasi, pianist Paul, Andy and Russ, collectively, surely warrant the tag ‘stellar line-up’.

Sandwiched in between Darlington and Blaydon is a visit to Ushaw College. Formerly a seminary, the sprawling woodland estate on the outskirts of Durham city is transforming itself into a cultural venue offering a range of activities and concerts. Jazz features on the curriculum, so too folk and classical music. Xenopoulos and Edis will work as a duo and,  as a bonus, the recently formed Gala Big Band, led by Edis, will perform some standards and one or two of Xenopoulos’ charts. The date for your diary is Saturday 24 October.

Russell.