Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music: Zoë Gilby Trio w. Noel Dennis + John Garner, John Pope + Dilutey Juice @ the Globe - Oct. 2

A brief 5 minutes or so walk from the Lit & Phil to the Globe finds more jazz festival activity. This time a more ‘mainstream’ selection well suited for a Sunday afternoon and the penultimate session of the festival.

Zoë Gilby Trio: Zoe Gilby (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Noel Dennis (trumpet,  flugelhorn).

First off is the Zoë Gilby Trio with Noel Dennis. No need to mention the perfect delivery from the two main names in the band, but worth mentioning Mark Williams and Andy Champion as providing solid backing, and solid solos when called upon - just like the two main names of the band did!   A nice varied set, both warmly and enthusiastically received.

John Garner (violin); John Pope (bass).

Next up was the duo of John Garner and John Pope with their no holds barred music-making, bringing an unusual line-up of violin and double bass and demonstrating the adaptability and flexibility of the otherwise familiar music they base some of their work on. Their own compositions fit seamlessly into the mix.    

John Garner is one of the most exciting and unusual voices to emerge in recent years, combining immaculate technique with a fearless musicality and free-wheeling improvisational aesthetic. John Pope is a composer, improviser and a (much in demand) bass player. His work explores the boundaries of jazz, free improvisation, rock and experimental music.  Such a combination of skill and experience within the duo gives rise to an exciting interplay with a few frolics and fireworks thrown in for good measure.

Both have played internationally, but they seem at home with a local audience around the Globe who may not have expected to like the music of spontaneous improvisation, or indeed the sonority of a violin paired with a double bass. But crafting some recognisable tunes (including ‘Happy Birthday You Two’)* intertwined with trading phrases and full blown improvisation led to many smiling faces around the audience. A great set, well received.

Dilutey Juice:  Thomas Dixon (sax); Billy Bradshaw (trumpet); Lewis Wilkinson (sousaphone); Ben Fitzgerald (Drums).

Finally, something incredibly energetic - Dilutey Juice!!! They take inspiration from a plethora of influences, from the fast hypnotic rhythms of Afro-beat to the intense euphoria of 90s' dance music - they’re a good-time-brass-party-band!!!  

Juice was created in the summer of 2020 and their reason d’être is to bring positive vibes and dance music to the public.  And so it was – in spades!!  An enthusiastic and high-energy performance was greeted with enthusiastic and energetic applause (and much foot-tapping!).

All bands were bang on schedule like the rest of the Festival (congrats to them and to Wes!).  What an afternoon of lively and entertaining music, leaving with a short respite until the grand Festival finale back at the Lit & Phil. Ken Drew

* Ken Drew & Paul Bream share the same birthday - Editor