Preview: Newcastle Jazz Festival - Saturday August 19

Two weeks today (Saturday, August 19) it's the first of two full days of action at Tyne Bank Brewery. Located east of the Ouseburn on Walker Road, the brewery's spacious premises is the ideal venue for an all day festival. Doors open at one o'clock with the first set getting underway half an hour later. 

First on stage at 1:30pm, it's the Ruth Lambert Duo! Vocalist Ruth Lambert's recently formed collaboration with guitarist Martin Craggs is an occasional pairing and this Newcastle Jazz Festival appearance is likely to win the duo many new fans. 

Following Lambert and Craggs at 2:40pm it's the Giles Strong Quartet. Quietly-spoken Strong is one of the finest guitarists around and his current quartet features three of the region's most in demand musicians: Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ian Paterson (double bass) and John Bradford (drums). Expect a set of accomplished original compositions alongside one or two choice standards. At 3:50pm stand by for a border raid. Currently playing a series of sold out shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, JazzMain - Nick Gould (tenor sax), pianist Steve Grossart, bassist Iain Harkness and drummer Kevin Dorrian - will hit Tyne Bank with a swinging Blue Note-inspired set. 

At five o'clock the Dean Stockdale Quartet will be Celebrating Oscar. Stockdale (piano), Tim Williams (guitar), Gavin Barras (double bass) and Max Popp (drums) will be playing, yes, you've guessed it...Oscar Peterson! Stockdale's homage to the late, great Canadian pianist has won universal praise and this is one set you really shouldn't miss. If there's a busier, hard working musician than Nigel Price your correspondent has yet to come across them. Topping the bill at a quarter past six in the evening is the Nigel Price Organ Trio, that's Price (guitar), Ross Stanley (Hammond organ) and Joel Barford (drums). Price is a stupendous guitarist, Stanley is a master of the Hammond and the brilliant Barford, in his mid-twenties, has to be seen (and heard) to be believed. Make no mistake, this will be one seriously smokin' set! 

Ninety minutes later (7:45pm) Saturday at Tyne Bank Brewery will be brought to a close by Hoochie Coochie favourites Swannek. Fronted by vocalist Mollie Birmingham this is jazz, funk, soul and a whole lot more. Jazz for the twenty first century!  

Advance day tickets are a bargain at £18.00 (those who have purchased a five day festival pass will be guaranteed entry). Check out: www.newcastlejazzfestival.co.uk. Alternatively, if Saturday isn't an advance sell out you'll be able to pay at the door. Don't take a chance, book in advance! Russell