Touring now! The Francis Tulip Quartet

(Preview by Russell)

Pre and post-Christmas there is an opportunity to catch up on the latest developments concerning four young men who are most definitely going places. In fact, they’ve been and gone, returning for the festive break before once again setting off on their amazing musical adventures.

The Francis Tulip Quartet will be playing three gigs (two in the week before Christmas, and a third and final gig in early January) across the north east of England. Earlier this year the quartet made a big impact playing a gig at Newcastle’s Jazz Co-op. Thelonius Monk, Wayne Shorter and others were on the set list then, it remains to be seen what the boys will choose to play on their short tour over the festive period. Guitarist Francis Tulip is home from his jazz degree studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, similarly, bassist Michael Dunlop is home from London’s Guildhall, and all the way from Berklee, Boston, USA is drummer Matthew MacKellar. Closer to home, pianist Joel Brown is on holiday from his sixth form studies at Whitley Bay High School!

These lads can play, no doubt about it! Francis has the bop language at his fingertips, Michael has it all covered playing electric bass, and Matthew is expected to perform like Superman having been at the world famous Berklee College of Music for all of four months! And the young man of the four, pianist Joel, is a rapidly developing free spirit. This is your opportunity to hear them play live before they hit the big time.

On Wednesday evening (Dec 20) at Durham’s Empty Shop the quartet will meet up to play the first of three gigs, then on Friday (Dec 22) it’s gig number two at Newcastle’s Jazz Café. The support of these venues is key in helping further the careers of emerging young musicians and these gigs are a great opportunity to get along and show your support. Early in 2018 (January 9) the lads rock up at Hexham Jazz Club to play the third and final gig of their short tour. Hexham’s Fox Inn located on West End Terrace is a keen supporter of jazz in the Northumberland market town and the Tuesday night regulars are in for a treat on the 9th.

Three gigs, do get along to at least one of them (some fans of the FT4 will be at all three!).   

Russell