Preview: Newcastle Jazz Festival (Day 4) Sunday August 21

The fourth and final day of this year's Newcastle Jazz Festival gets under way at 1:30pm with Lindsay Hannon singing Tom Waits. Wittily billed as Tom Waits for No Man, Lindsay (pictured) will be joined for the occasion by pianist Alan Law. In addition, there is the prospect of our duo being fleshed out into a trio by the participation of a - no names, no pack drill - Tyneside bass player! 

Tyne Bank Brewery and several mobile artisan food outlets will cater to your every need. Naturally, the beers are brewed by the good people of Tyne Bank. 

Beer and food on the table, watch out for David Gray's Flextet (pictured). The ever-excellent 'Showtime', first call 'bone man with any number of outfits, leads an energetic band: Adam Sams, guitar, Alan Law, piano, Paul Grainger, bass, and drummer Michael Mather. The Flextet will be on stage at 2:40. 

Little more than one hour later at 3:50pm it's the all-conquering Knats. Few bands in the region will have played as many gigs in the past twelve months as these guys. Three members of the quartet - Josh Mitchell-Rayner,
keyboards, Stan Woodward, bass, and drummer King David Ike-Elechi - will soon be heading to London to begin their undergraduate music studies, so this Newcastle Jazz Festival appearance will be one of the few remaining opportunities to hear the band. Don't miss Josh, Stan, King and, of course, emerging trumpet star Ferg Kilsby (all four pictured), as they're guaranteed to tear it up!

Ben Gilbert (pictured) makes a swift return to the region (the Leeds-based pianist was in concert last week at Bishop Auckland Town Hall) with his all-new trio featuring saxophonist Anna Chandler and bassist José Canha. The music of Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez is likely to feature in the trio's set, be sure to recharge your glass and take a seat in time for a five o'clock start. 

And then, the 'closing ceremony' of this year's Newcastle Jazz Festival,  (tickets HERE ) features APPJAG award-winning saxophonist Emma Rawicz. Recently crowned 'Best Newcomer' at the 2022 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group's annual shindig (see photo of Emma accepting her award at London's Holborn Pizza Express), Royal Academy of Music undergraduate Rawicz (tenor & soprano saxophones, flute) has been working with many of the top names on the scene, a clear indication of her standing with seasoned musicians. Emma takes to the stage at 6:15pm alongside Dean Stockdale, piano, Andy Champion, bass, and Dave McKeague, drums. Four days, three venues and countless bands, the 2022 Newcastle Jazz Festival is unmissable! Russell