(By Russell)
Welcome to the Roaring Twenties! 2020 holds much promise with many unmissable gigs across the north east of England already in the diary. From Dean Masser's three appearances in the first part of the year (Masser is in on the Art Blakey celebration) to the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's all but guaranteed sell out two-nighter in December there is scarcely a blank date in the jazz diary.
From America, Frog and Henry return to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club in February, and in March, from France, it's Mama Shaker. Mid March trumpeter/bandleader/arranger Danny Jonokuchi flies in from NYC to gig with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Flat Caps Coffee (top tip, it's a small venue so book now).
Middlesbrough Town Hall continues with its monthly Sunday afternoon session - January's event is a Scottish affair, March sees Nikki Iles bringing in her new big band.
Festivals abound - the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival returns to Chester le Street (Feb 28-Mar 1), Gateshead Jazz (formerly Gateshead International Jazz Festival) is scheduled for March 20-22, a new Hexham Jazz Festival pops up in Hexham Abbey (May 15-16), the second edition of the revived Newcastle Jazz Festival in August expands to four days and the hugely successful three day Classic Jazz Party straddles October into November.
APPJAG winner Zoë Gilby will be out and about during the year - why not go say 'hello' and 'well done'?!
Top class one off gigs include Adrian Cox, Mike Lovatt, the BBC Big Band, Gregory Porter, Mark Nightingale, Bruno Heinen and (making more than one appearance during the year!) the ebullient American piano virtuoso Jeff Barnhart. Add the big bands (Bold, Customs House, Darlington, Durham Alumni, NUJO, Strictly Smokin', Tyne Valley and more), the residencies and the jam sessions to the mix and you'll rarely be at home during 2020!
Russell
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