(Press release)
Following the success of its
inaugural launch last year, the popular Sunday Jazz Weekender is
set for a welcome Teesside return, bringing with it this time a 6-month
long programme of critically acclaimed live music to Middlesbrough
Town Hall.
Kickstarting with a Sunday
Jazz Special on Sunday 27th October and programmed by the founder
of Gateshead International Jazz Festival at Sage Gateshead, and Europe Jazz
Network's Ros Rigby (OBE), this year's festival will showcase
the best talent from the North East of England and across the UK, from soloists
like pianist Gwilym Simcock to large scale heavyweight
line-ups such as the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
The launch event on 27th October
follows a successful preview event in September which featured local jazz hero
Noel Dennis.
This time around, there will be two
main events in the Main Hall. The award-winning Scottish National Jazz
Orchestra - complete with pianist Brian Kellock - will perform
the music of jazz legends Count Basie, Duke Ellington and 'Fats'
Waller from 7:30 pm, preceded by three stellar acts; husband and wife
duo Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion, Tommy Smith (saxophonist
& OBE award winner) & Brian Kellock (Scottish
international Jazz ambassador), as well as UK pianist Gwilym Simcock,
who continues to travel the world as a member of US jazz guitar icon
Pat Metheny's quartet.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the
2019 Sunday Jazz festival, lead programmer, Ros Rigby (OBE), said: “The
Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender last year was just one weekend of music, and the
first event of its kind in the town for 40 years, but the Sunday jazz Series
now gives us a chance to bring a wider range of some of the most exciting and
enjoyable jazz artists from across the UK to the Town Hall.
“I am really looking forward to
welcoming the fantastic Scottish National Jazz Orchestra to the venue on
October 27, particularly as they are presenting a programme of the music of
Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and my all-time favourite Fats Waller - I hope they
include ‘Ain't Misbehavin’ and 'Honeysuckle Rose' in the programme!
“The newly refurbished Town Hall is a
brilliant venue for jazz - particularly the Crypt with its informal feel, and
the Sunday afternoon slot is ideal for people to come along and hear a variety
of music in a relaxed setting. We hope that people from the Tees Valley and
beyond will support it so that we can carry on presenting artists of this
quality into the future!”
Assistant programmer, co-founder and
director of DJAZZ, Durham City Jazz Festival, Heather Spencer, adds: “This year,
audiences can expect to have a lush and varied Sunday afternoon of jazz with a
bit of something for everyone: “Our launch event on Sunday 27th
captures the very essence of the amazing jazz we have coming to Teesside
throughout the programme. As well as the iconic jazz heavyweights, you'll also
find gems such as Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion and their incredible voice and
bass harmonics. There is something for everyone. It's great to be back!”
The Sunday Jazz
Festival at Middlesbrough Town Hall commences on Sunday 27th October.
This will be followed
by another event on Sunday 17th November featuring the
Michael Brecker, Barry White inspired Binker Golding Band, the
Leeds-based electronic-soul quartet Noya Rao and North East
rising talent Francis Tulip Quartet.
For more information
about Sunday Jazz and to buy tickets visit:
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