Francis Tulip Quartet – Tour Dates!

(Preview by Russell)

They’re back, fresh from a first summer get together at the hugely successful Durham DJazz Festival at the beginning of June, the Francis Tulip Quartet will be playing three gigs during July and August with a return to Hexham’s Fox Inn, a first concert performance at the Literary and Philosophical Society, and a return date at Newcastle Jazz Co-op’s Globe headquarters.

Four young men from the north east of England; guitarist Francis Tulip, home for the summer from his studies in Birmingham, Whitley Bay resident, pianist Joel Brown, now out of school and taking time out, and Berklee, Boston music student, drummer Matt MacKellar, over here as his American friends would say, ‘on vacation.’ 

Over the last few years the lads have made waves sitting in at jam sessions, playing in youth big bands, participating in invaluable workshop sessions and, of course, gigging as a quartet – the Francis Tulip Quartet. Starting on Tuesday at the Fox Inn (8:00pm, free admission although please make a donation!) the quartet will, no doubt, receive another amazing reception from the Hexham Jazz Club regulars who, first time around, couldn’t believe what they were hearing. The Fox is a typical one room community pub and thanks to the publican supporting live music there is a flourishing jazz scene Way Out West! The following week, Friday lunchtime, July 27, it is thanks to Paul Edis for offering the lads the opportunity to play a gig at the prestigious Lit and Phil on Westgate Road in Newcastle, near Central Station. A one o’clock, one hour concert in Edis’ jazz concert series is a coveted prize and the Francis Tulip Quartet has hit the jackpot. A large turn-out is all but guaranteed, its pay on the door, no advance sales, so arrive in good time and pay your fiver, this promises to be something special.

The third gig is on Sunday August 5 at the Jazz Co-op on Railway Street located near the Metro Radio Arena. Doors at 7:30, £6 (£3 student). The Newcastle Jazz Co-op exists, in part, to support gigs such as this, make the effort, there’s plenty of on-street parking, alternatively, walk from Central Station, it’s only five minutes away.  Later in August there is the little matter of a concert set at this year’s Ushaw Jazz Festival but more on that nearer the time. Do get along to at least one of the gigs, put the date in the diary now, the future of jazz is in safe hands with the Francis Tulip Quartet. 
Russell