TEAM CYCLES ANNOUNCE SPONSORSHIP OF GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

(Press Release)

Sage Gateshead is proud to announce Team Cycles as headline sponsor of Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2016. The festival, now in its 12^th year, runs from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 April 2016 and brings together artists from the UK, European and International jazz scene, hotly-tipped emerging talent and exciting cross genre artists. Based in Gateshead, Team Cycles are a leading North East bike store, workshop and cycling accessories company.

Sage Gateshead is recognised as a green leader in the cultural sector in the North East, having won many awards for sustainable practices.  The venue works closely with Julie’s Bicycle, an organisation that looks at issues around sustainability and works with music promoters, festivals and venues across Europe to develop green policies.  As a member of the European Jazz Network, Sage Gateshead has committed to their green manifesto which has now been adopted by 106 jazz organisations across Europe. It is therefore very fitting that Gateshead International Jazz Festival’s sponsor for 2016 is Team Cycles, a company that promotes sustainable transport. 

New for 2016 and thanks to the generosity of Team Cycles there will be a Gateshead International Jazz Festival Raffle, giving entrants the chance to win a fantastic Trek bike worth £500. In the spirit of sustainability, all those who choose to travel to the festival by bike will be entered into the raffle free of charge. Otherwise tickets can be purchased from Sage Gateshead Ticket Office from Thursday 31^st March and throughout the festival weekend.

Barry Wilkinson, General Director, Team Cycles said:

“We opened our doors on July 1st 2013 and have fast proven to be the most innovative, forward thinking independently owned bike shop in the region. We are delighted to be named as headline sponsor for Gateshead International Jazz Festival and we are proud to be involved in such a large and recognised festival on our doorstep in Gateshead.”

Abigail Pogson, General Director, Sage Gateshead said:

“Team Cycles generous sponsorship of the 12^th Gateshead International Jazz Festival is excellent news. We are really thrilled to have this hugely popular local company as partner for this festival, which goes musically from strength to strength and shines spotlight on Gateshead as a meeting point for jazz each April. To have a partner which is as committed to sustainable transport and cycling as we are at Sage Gateshead is really fantastic and this year’s raffle is an exciting bonus for festival goers too giving them an opportunity to win a great bike.”

Headlining this year’s festival are GRAMMY award-winning singer Gregory Porter, leading British saxophonist Courtney Pine, MOBO award-winning pianist, Zoe Rahman and former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Terence Blanchard with his new quintet, the E-Collective. Sunday night is American soul maestro Charles Bradley whose well-documented against-all-odds rise saw him transcend a bleak life on the streets before being discovered by Daptone Records. 

For the full line-up visit sagegateshead.com/gijf

Gateshead International Jazz Festival takes place 15-17 April at Sage Gateshead. To book tickets please visitsagegateshead.com or visit Sage Gateshead Ticket Office either in person (open from 12noon) or by calling 0191 443 4661. Find out more at sagegateshead.com/gijf

Raffle tickets can be purchased at Sage Gateshead Ticket Office from Thursday 31^st March and will be available throughout the festival weekend.

Find out more about Team Cycles at www.teamcycles.com