In 1995 the old Newcastle Jazz Festival closed its doors, leaving a void in the city. Now, in celebration of the milestone 100th anniversary year of the first ever jazz recordings, it’s the perfect time to bring together and recognise some of the great venues and promoters working in the North East for the first 'Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music'.
Alongside some of the cream of regional players, the festival is pleased to welcome European musicians from France, Denmark and Switzerland, as well as some of the UK's most exciting improvisers from the Glasgow and London scenes. Many thanks to all the promoters, venues and musicians, pulling together to make this such a great programme of events, and we gratefully acknowledge The Arts Council of England and Performing Rights Society Foundation for their financial support.
Wesley Stephenson - Festival Producer.
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info@jazznortheast.com www.jazznortheast.com #jazz100
Thursday 28th September Bearpark Doors 7.30pm (Music starts 8.00pm). Upstairs at The Jazz Café.
Over the past year, the Jazz Café has provided a twice monthly platform for young, straight-ahead jazz musicians from the BA and BMUS degree courses at Sage Gateshead. For this festival warm up, the BABMUS group ʻBearparkʼ will deliver a modern take on a wide variety of standards, with influences including John Coltrane and Bill Evans. Tom Bearpark (Keyboard and Hammond Organ) / Thomas Dixon (Saxophones) / Jamie Jingles (Guitar) / Stephen Hall (Bass Guitar) / Adam Watson (Drums). £3.00 / £2 Concession (Students and MU members) Tickets available in advance from the Jazz Café and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented by BABMUS in association with The Jazz Café and Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Friday 29th September Zoe Rahman Doors 1.00pm (Music starts 1.15pm) The Literary and Philosophical Society.
Zoe Rahman is amongst the most revered pianists on the international jazz scene, picking up MOBO and Parliamentary Jazz Awards and a Mercury Prize nomination. Zoe has made regular visits to Tyneside, and for this very special concert, she will perform new work from her sixth studio album 'Dreamlandʼ, which is also her first as a solo musician. Zoe Rahman (Solo Piano) £10 / £8 Concession (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available in advance from The Lit and Phil, Reflex Record Shop, See tickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented as part of Jazz North Easts 'Women Make Music' series in association with GemArts, Lunchtime Jazz at the Lit and Phil and the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Koan 6: Enlightenment Doors 7.00pm (Music starts 7.30pm) The Globe.
Over the past couple of years, Koan at The Globe has emerged as one of the most exciting DIY nights dedicated to improvisation and original composition with no regard for genre. Headlining this festival special will be Culver whose high precision quality of sound and depth of reach creates a unique meditative experience that lasts long in the memory. Culver has previously partnered giants as diverse as Evan Parker and Skullmask.
Also performing will be regular members of Jazz North East’s Improvisors' Workshop whose names will be drawn from a hat to create unique duo combinations.
Dawn Bothwell of Pentecostal Party and Hen Ogled will perform a solo set.
The ambient cinematic sounds of Space Gong complete the bill.
Newcastle Improvisors (7.30pm) / Dawn Bothwell (8.15pm) / Space Gong (9.00pm) / Culver (10.00pm)
£5 / £4 Concessions (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available On The Door first come first served This concert is presented by Koan at The Globe (Jazz Co-op) in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Politics and Poetry: The Keith Morris Memorial Concert Doors 7.00pm (Film Screening 7.30pm) Upstairs at The Jazz Café.
The late Keith Morris was a greatly respected musician, educator, promoter and founding member of the 'Schmazz' organisation which subsequently came to merge with Jazz North East. The 10th anniversary of Keithʼs tragic death was remembered at a Gateshead Old Town Hall concert in 2015. For the first edition of the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music it's a great honour to pay tribute to such a dedicated figure in the history of Tyneside Jazz with a screening of the 'Politics and Poetry' film that was created using footage from the Old Town Hall.
Free But Ticketed / Donations Welcome Tickets available in advance from The Jazz Café, Seetickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This film screening is presented by Jazz North Eastʼs 'Schmazz' in association with The Jazz Café and Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
The Mark Williams Trio Doors 8.45pm (Music starts 9.15pm) Upstairs at The Jazz Café.
'Last Bus to Bensham' is the much anticipated second album from the Mark Williams Trio, and it's a delight to have Mark launching the CD at the Jazz Café for the festival. Featuring some of Tynesideʼs most respected musicians the Trio will be performing tracks from the new album along with older tunes from the debut 'Balaclava Streetʼ, and even newer material that hasnʼt yet found its way into the studio. Mark Williams (Guitar) / Paul Susans (Bass) / Russ Morgan (Drums) £8 / £6 Concessions (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available in advance from The Jazz Café, Reflex Record Shop, Seetickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented as part of Jazz North Eastʼs monthly 'Schmazz' series in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Saturday 30th September Paul Taylor Doors 11.45am (Music starts 12.00 midday) The Literary and Philosophical Society.
Paul Taylor is an accomplished pianist and keyboard player specialising in improvisation. His music is evocative, alluring and unique; combining unusual harmonies and sonorities with an original and fluid technique. Honing his ambition over the past few years and releasing two albums to date, he is emerging as one of the most consistently interesting and innovative solo pianists in recent years, eschewing the conventions of jazz improvisation in favour of an unorthodox, harmonically complex and often compellingly beautiful musical language that is often inspired by the classical tradition; in an overheard conversation his music was once described as "like having Debussy in your living room" which is a pretty fair gauge. Nonetheless, his playing also encapsulates the restless capacity for invention that is a cornerstone of jazz. Paulʼs third album is set for release in early 2018 on the back of an increasingly busy concert schedule that has recently seen him receiving international invitations and label interest from 4 Head Records whose artist roster has also included British heavyweights such as Trevor Watts, Veryan Weston, John Stevens and Barry Guy.
Paul Taylor (Solo Piano) £3 / £2 Concessions (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available in advance from The Lit and Phil, Reflex Record Shop, See tickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented by the Literary and Philosophical Society in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Take Five Music starts at 1.00pm Downstairs at The Jazz Café.
Since reopening in 2013 The Jazz Café has established a reputation for presenting high quality duo performances on Saturday nights in the relaxed setting of the downstairs bar. Tapping into the format, it's a pleasure for the festival to present pairings from the regions most respected talents, rounding the afternoon off in style with special visiting guests Raymond MacDonald and Graeme Wilson from the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, performing work from their recent album 'Cast of Thousands'.
Troyka / Mette Rasmussen and Julien Desprez / Schnellertollermeier / Acapulco Doors 6.30pm (Music starts at 7.00pm) The Black Swan Bar and Venue.
For the Saturday night of the festival Jazz North East are proud to present a stunning international bill bringing together musicians from France, Denmark, Switzerland and the U.K. You can expect a lot of effects pedals and some of the most exciting contemporary jazz you're ever likely to hear. Paris-based Julien Desprez, a co-founder of the music cooperative Collectif Coax, is one of the most distinctive and highly regarded masters of the guitar. Whilst jazz and rock were his early musical loves, they evolved rapidly to free forms that shape intensely physical performances, bridging sound art and contemporary improvisational music.
Julienʼs previous visits to Tyneside have included performances with the sensational fusion outfits Q and IRèNE, and the Anglo-French ensemble Tweedle-Dee. For this concert he will present a solo set under the banner ʻAcapulcoʼ before joining fellow Fire! Orchestra member Mette Rasmussen in duo formation.
Mette Rasmussen is a Danish saxophonist based in Trondheim, Norway. She last visited Tyneside with percussion giant Chris Corsano and has also worked with iconic figures such as Alan Silva. It's a great pleasure to welcome her to the festival in a duo with Julien as they launch their debut CD. Over the past few years, Metteʼs reputation has grown enormously making her one of the most respected young free improvisational performers, and she remains in constant demand for her distinctive brand of fiery free jazz and textural sound-work. "Mette Rasmussen has a remarkably fluid and expressive tone on the alto saxophone. Her playing at times evokes the rich, heavenward clarity of Albert Ayler, at others the throaty roar of Mats Gustafsson. Equally, though, sheʼs able to sidestep these influences and assert her own individual sound in piercingly high tones and controlled outbursts of free playing."
Viennese Waltz.
Schnellertollermeir are a Swiss power trio playing music without compromises: ranging from modern composition to minimal music, psychedelic and brute rock, their style defies genre boundaries with an instrumental power that lets the heart beat the head. The bandʼs third album 'X' received enthusiastic reviews from all over the world and made it into the list of the 12 best albums of 2015 in US Wall Street Journal alongside Björk, Kendrick Lamar, Courtney Barnett and Battles. The band features Andi Schnellmann (Electric Bass), Manuel Troller (Guitar) and David Meier (Drums).
The London based experimental fusion trio Troyka is made up of heavyweights Chris Montague (Guitar), Kit Downes (Keyboards) and Joshua Blackmore (Drums). Chris is however, a Gateshead lad so it's always a pleasure to invite him back to perform in the area. The band draw upon diverse influences such as electronica, jazz and rock, brewing up a heady gumbo; they're as likely to cite Aphex Twin and Soft Machine as major influences as much as any established jazz musicians.
Troyka are one of the finest examples of new progressive UK jazz following in the footsteps of purveyors such as Polar Bear and helping to pave the way for new great acts like GoGo Penguin. Acapulco (7.00pm) / Schnellertollermeier (7.45pm) / Mette Rasmussen and Julien Desprez (9.00pm) / Troyka (10.00pm) £12 / £10 Concessions (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available in advance from The Jazz Café, Reflex Record Shop, Seetickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented by Jazz North East in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
Sunday 1st October The Tuesday Jam On Sunday Doors 11.30am (Music starts at 12.00pm) Downstairs at The Jazz Café.
A popular feature of the ongoing Jazz Café series is the Tuesday Jam, usually reserved for the first and third weeks of the month. Such stalwarts of the regional jazz scene as Mark Williams, Pete Gilligan and Rob Walker have regularly made up the house trio, but for this special festival Sunday lunchtime weʼre expanding to a quartet with Paul Gowland (Saxophone), Alan Law (Piano), Paul Grainger (Bass) and Russ Morgan (Drums). Theyʼll perform a high quality set of classics and standards by the likes of Wayne Shorter, Paquito D'Rivera, Charlie Parker and Joe Henderson before opening up the floor for an open jam. Free Entry on the Door subject to capacity / Donations Welcome This concert is presented by The Jazz Café in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
The Improvisers Workshop 3.00pm - 5.00pm Upstairs at The Bridge Hotel.
First established in 2015 The Improvisers Workshop runs regularly on the first Sunday of the month. The sessions act as an open space for all musicians, vocalists and people who work with sound to explore the nature of improvisation, with listeners as welcome as the participants. Levels of ability are not important, the willingness to listen, react, work spontaneously, improvise and talk with other people is all that matters, everyone is equal in the workshop space, regardless of the style or level of ability. For this festival session we welcome mentors Dr Graeme Wilson and Professor Raymond MacDonald from the Glasgow Improvisers' Orchestra to lead us through playing and discussion into the unknown. Free Entry On The Door subject to capacity / Donations Welcome.
Three Trios Barrel Alison Blunt (Violin) Ivor Kallin (Viola) Hannah Marshall (Cello) Laura Jurd (Trumpet) 'Leafcutter John' (Electronics) Julie Kjær (Alto Sax / Flute / Bass Clarinet) Julie Kjær (Alto Sax / Flute / Bass Clarinet) Hannah Marshall (Cello) Rachel Musson (Tenor Saxophone) Doors 7.00pm (Music starts 7.15pm) Upstairs at The Bridge Hotel.
Concluding the festival is one of the most staggering line ups you're ever likely to see on Tyneside - fireworks are guaranteed at this finale! Featuring as part of Jazz North Eastʼs monthly 'On The Outside' and 'Women Make Music' series, the evening fuses contemporary chamber music with free jazz and experimental electronics, delivered by seven of Londons' finest improvisers.
Amongst other groups Alison Blunt, Julie Kjær, Rachel Musson and Ivor Kallin all perform with the London Improvisers Orchestra, Hannah Marshall remains in constant demand and has previously worked with artists such as Alexander Hawkins and Han Bennink , Laura Jurd continues to make great waves most notably with her astounding group Dinosaur, and 'Leafcutter John' firmly established a name for himself as part of the ground-breaking Polar Bear and regularly performs with his own hand built synthesisers and electronics. Trio 1: Julie Kjær + Hannah Marshall + Rachel Musson (7.15pm) / Trio 2: Laura Jurd + 'Leafcutter John' + Julie Kjær (8.15pm) / Trio 3: Barrel (9.15pm) £10 / £8 Concessions (Students / MU / Benefits / OAP) Tickets available in advance from Reflex Record Shop, Seetickets Online and On The Door subject to capacity This concert is presented as part of Jazz North Easts 'Women Make Music' series in association with Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music.
The Jazz Café 25 Pink Lane - NE1 5DW 0191 222 9882 www.jazzCafé-newcastle.co.uk The Jazz Café also serves a range of food from 12.00 - 6.00pm daily with light snacks available Sunday lunchtime The Jazz Café is for all ages (under 18's must be accompanied by an adult) and is accessible for wheelchair users in the downstairs bar only.
The Literary and Philosophical Society 23 Westgate Road - NE1 1SE 0191 232 0192 library@litandphil.org.uk www.litandphil.org.uk The Lit and Phil is for all ages (under 18's must be accompanied by an adult) and is accessible for wheelchair users.
The Globe 11 Railway Street - NE4 7AD info@jazz.coop www.theglobenewcastle.bar www.jazz.coop The Globe is for all ages (under 18's must be accompanied by an adult) and is accessible for wheelchair users.
The Black Swan Bar and Venue 69 Westgate Road - NE1 1SG 0191 222 9882 admin@newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk www.newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk The Black Swan is for all ages (under 18's must be accompanied by an adult) and has assisted access for wheelchair users The Bridge Hotel Castle Square - NE1 1RQ 0191 232 6400 www.sjf.co.uk/our-pubs/bridge-hotel.
The Bridge Hotel Festival Concert presented by Jazz North East is for all ages (under 18's must be accompanied by an adult) but does not have wheelchair accessibility.
Travel and Accommodation All venues are located within 5 - 10 minutes walking distance from Newcastle Central Rail Station, Central Metro Station and Newcastle Coach Station. Central Metro Station also carries direct links to and from Newcastle Airport with a journey time of around 25 minutes. There are also many local bus services, wherever you're coming from just head for Central Station and you can find the venues on foot quite easily. There are many hotels and hostels available at various prices many of which are also surrounding Central Station, we recommend the Tune Hotel for good accommodation at a reasonable price.
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