Best Gig.
I’ve attended some very good gigs this year, but one really
stood out: Gregory Porter at Newcastle City Hall in May. A big concert by a big personality! Plus, North East -born Jo Harrop opened the
show, as she did throughout Gregory’s spring tour; what a coup for Jo!
Best
Addition to the List of North East Jazz Venues.
The Exchange 1856 in North Shields hosted a range of
jazz acts during 2025, from the North East and further afield, including the
Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, Gilad Atzmon and Julian Lage (see photo). Let’s hope for more top acts there – and
elsewhere in the region – during 2026.
Best Jazz Moment
During his excellent performance at the Lit & Phil in
October, as part of the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music, saxophonist
Xhosa Cole was joined on stage by vocalist Cleveland Watkiss. Together with Pat Thomas (piano), Ollie
Brice (double bass) and Mark Sanders (drums), they gave an amazing
rendition of ’Round Midnight – spellbinding!
Best Return to the North East Jazz Scene
I was delighted by the return of the Newcastle Jazz
Festival this year, with acts from the local area (including the Noel
Dennis Trio - see photo) and beyond. And
I liked its new venue: the Live Theatre.
I’m looking forward already to the 2026 edition.
Best Label
Edition Records.
Actually, this choice is based partly on past and future releases,
including Joe Webb’s Mercury prize-nominated Hamstrings and Hurricanes (it
was good to see Joe perform at the Fire Station in Sunderland in July as part
of the BBC Proms), and the forthcoming album Vital Spark by Dave Holland,
Norma Winstone and the London Vocal Project.
Plus, the label released my …
Album of the Year
The Shieling by Fergus McCreadie
I took part in the Bandcamp Listening Party for the album in
October and was totally captivated. The
manner in which the album was recorded – in a remote cottage on North Uist – undoubtedly
contributed to its intensity and rawness.
I know it’s a high bar, but I believe this may well be Fergus’s best
album to date. I’m looking forward to
hearing Fergus, along with saxophonist Matt Carmichael, when they play at the
Yamaha Music School in Blyth in March 2026.
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You can hear music related to my choices on the next edition
of Jazz on the Tyne – coming soon on Mixcloud! Colin Muirhead
All photos © Colin Muirhead
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