After a long hiatus Hexham Jazz Festival returned last year and it could be said to have been a resounding success - Hexham Abbey the grand setting, the jazz top quality, the weather kind. The 2023 event is set for the long weekend of Friday 12 - Sunday 14 May. Hexham Abbey will once again play host to a series of concerts with the bonus this year of Queen's Hall, Core Music and the Forum Cinema coming on board.
Concerts in Hexham Abbey will be hosted by Jazz FM's Nigel Williams, beginning at 7:00pm on the Friday with the acclaimed Ushaw Ensemble. Directed by Paul Edis, the star-studded line-up doesn't get together too often, so this is your chance! And at half past eight vocalist Rachel Sutton will be on stage with pianist Roland Perrin, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley.
Saturday's programme includes An Evening with Freddie Benedict. Emerging from a stint with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Benedict will be accompanied by pianist Paul Edis, guitarist Jamie McCredie, rising star saxophonist Emma Rawicz, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a seven o'clock start and at 8:30pm Benedict will step aside as the amazing Jo Harrop joins the quintet to sing a choice selection of material. At 10:30pm DJ Nigel Williams will be on the decks and earlier, during the afternoon, there will be performances in the grounds of Hexham Abbey, let's hope the sun shines!
Sunday's action includes a screening of Ernst Lubitsch's 1921 classic Die Bergkatze (The Wild Cat) in the Forum Cinema with live musical accompaniment composed by Graeme Wilson (reeds). The amiable Scot will be joined by pianist Paul Edis, bassist Paul Susans and drummer Steve Hanley. It's a 3:00pm start, something of a one-off, don't miss it! In the evening the focus shifts to Queen's Hall. Guitarist Joe Steels' Borealis takes to the stage at 7:00pm to perform new music written by its bandleader. It's a classy line-up comprising: Ferg Kilsby, trumpet, Asha Nicholson, vocals, Dan Brown piano, Paul Susans bass, and drummer John Hirst. The festival's headline act - vocalist Claire Martin, accompanied by pianist Jamie Safir - closes the show in what promises to be a memorable evening.
Core Music on Gilesgate will host masterclass sessions (Freddie Benedict and Emma Rawicz), outdoor performances will attract the jazz fan and non-jazz fan alike, let's hope Hexham Abbey and Queen's Hall are packed to the rafters. Details of a range of ticket prices can be found at: www.queenshall.co.uk. Russell
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