GIJF - The Opening Salvo

(Review by Russell)

Sam Bell’s Bugalu Foundation opened the 2016 Gateshead International Jazz Festival with a bang. The concourse stage turned 180 degrees (the configuration for the annual Summertyne Americana weekend), looking out over the Tyne to Newcastle, met with approval. Musicians would be able to perform to an audience without a steady flow of pedestrian traffic between them. Young musicians from Roman Road Primary School beat Bell and company to it. Fresh from workshop sessions with Arun Ghosh, they did themselves proud on the concourse stage with a spirited performance, warmly received by the many in attendance for the occasion.

Team Cycles of Team Valley, Gateshead, are generous sponsors of this year’s festival building upon sustainable ‘green’ transport initiatives developed at last year’s event. A publicity stand on the concourse drew the attention of festival goers, as did the pitches promoting the year round activities of the Newcastle Jazz Coop and Jazz North East. A marvellous exhibition marking Jazz North East’s 50th year as Britain’s first grant-aided jazz promoter is certain to jog fading memories for some. JNE photographer Ken Drew should take a bow for a job well done!

An opening reception introduced a new partner for Sage Gateshead. The Lake Distillery based in Cumbria provided a range of cocktails with a gin, whiskey or vodka base. This 2016 edition of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival certainly has a different vibe to it. And, if you fancy a hot dog – who wouldn’t? – there is a hot dog stand. Yum, yum.

Congas percussion specialist Sam Bell has an enduring interest in Afro-Cuban and Latin music. Bugalu Foundation made the trip up the A1 from their Yorkshire base to loudly launch this year’s festival. Percussion rhythms pounded out across the concourse hoping to disperse rain clouds – more downpour than April showers – hanging over Tyneside. A sold-out Gregory Porter audience gathered, improviser Evan Parker was to perform solo and Arun Ghosh was about to entertain a Sage Two audience. And then there were late-night performances to follow. Reviews of many of the performances will be posted in the coming hours and days.

Russell