O Come All Ye Jazz Fans: ‘A Jazzy Christmas’ Comes to Middlesbrough This December

(Press release)

Sunday Jazz at Middlesbrough Town Hall is back. This time for a special Christmas-themed concert which will launch the venue’s eclectic winter live music programme.

Following sold out shows at Sage Gateshead in 2017 and 2018, nationally renowned jazz composer and performer, Paul Edis will bring his celebrated arrangements of festive favourites to Teesside on Sunday 15^th December.

Audiences can expect to hear imaginative renditions of traditional Christmas carols including O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, as well as reinventions of classic festive pop and jazz tunes, such as Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.

Performed by some of the leading lights of the UK jazz scene, including Jo Harrop, Matt Anderson, Emma Fisk and some very special guests, this event is a must-see for fans of Jazz and live music in general.

Commenting on the forthcoming show, Paul Edis said: “A Jazzy Christmas is a brilliant alternative take on the usual Christmas repertoire and an excellent antidote to the piped music heard in so many shops since October.

“It’s a family friendly show featuring new arrangements of some of my favourite Christmas tunes, performed by an 11-piece band including the ‘velvet voiced’ jazz singer Jo Harrop.

“It’s the perfect show for anyone who loves live music, especially those who love Christmas Songs!”

Sage Gateshead’s youth jazz ensemble, Jambone, directed by Edis himself, will kick start the festive Jazz proceedings. Widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished youth bands, Jambone has helped launch the careers of many of the region’s top professional musicians.

Paul Edis adds: “Jambone are an outstanding group of young musicians. The musical mission of the band is to provide a range of repertoire and performance challenges for its members.

“They’ll perform a set before ‘A Jazzy Christmas’ which will give the Middlesbrough audience a chance to hear the stars of tomorrow.”

Paul Edis’ Jazzy Christmas is part of an ambitious monthly series of Jazz concerts programmed by the founder of Gateshead International Jazz Festival at Sage Gateshead, Ros Rigby (OBE).

Speaking on the forthcoming show, Ros Rigby said: “A Jazzy Christmas will really get Teesside audiences in the Christmas spirit with Paul Edis’ arrangements of well-known Christmas songs. The fantastic singer, Jo Harrop comes from the North East but is now based in London so this is a rare chance to see her back on her home turf.”

The next Sunday Jazz offering will take place in January, celebrating Burns Night with a special afternoon of performances from some of Scotland’s leading jazz composers and performers, including 2018’s Young Jazz Musician of The Year, Joe Williamson; Tom Bancroft’s ‘In Common’; Fergus McCreadie and Georgia Cécile, the 2019 winner of ‘Best Vocalist’ at the Scottish Jazz Awards.

Ros Rigby Added: “There are three more gigs to come in the Sunday Jazz series. January 19^th will get us all in the mood for Burns Night with four amazing bands drawing on some of Scotland's finest jazz musicians.”

A Jazzy Christmas (Ft. Paul Edis and Jambone) takes place at Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Crypt on Sunday 15^th December from 2pm to 6pm.

Tickets are available via middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk priced at just £12 (plus booking fee) or by calling the Box Office on 01642 729 729.