Preview: Francis Tulip on Bloomsday

(Preview by Russell)

Sunday, June 16 is Bloomsday. Every year on this day Dubliners and others around the world celebrate the life of James Joyce. A 'day in the life' (June 16) of Leopold Bloom, the central character in Ulysses, is the literary device Joyce deployed in his famous - if little read! - novel. Tonight at Blaydon Jazz Club (7:30 prompt) Birmingham Conservatoire guitar student Francis Tulip will attempt to play every note he's ever played then, for good measure, play them all again during two unmissable sets in the lounge of the Black Bull pub.     

As a teenager County Durham lad Francis Tulip, possessing prodigious technique, came to the attention of Bebop Spoken Here at events such as the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival, performances at Sage Gateshead, sitting-in at jam sessions (scaring the pants off six-string wannabies) and, at close quarters, as a member of Paul Edis' Early Bird hothouse workshop ensemble. 

Joining Tulip at the Bridge Street (NE21 4JJ) venue will be Durham University student Ben Lawrence, piano, the depping 'old man' of the quartet John Pope on bass and drummer extraordinaire Matt MacKellar. All four gigged at last weekend's DJazz Festival - Tulip as a guest on Matt MacKellar's set, Lawrence stupendous on keyboards on the above gig, and JP wearing his Archipelago hat - and they're never less than superb whatever the conext. It promises to be quite a night. Seven quid on the door, half past seven start, don't be late, it's 'Francis Tulipday'!    

Russell