Following the success of the first ever Gateshead International Jazz Festival earlier this year, The Sage Gateshead is proud to announce that next year's festival will take place from March 17 - 19.
Building on the strengths of this year's festival, which attracted more than 5,000 people, next year's festival promises to be even bigger, with a line up that includes acts as diverse as Gilles Peterson ("Britain's most relevant and far-reaching DJ", The Guardian), Maceo Parker (saxophonist with James Brown for over two decades), Ketil Bjrnstad ("Norway's very own Renaissance Man", Jazzwise), Andy Sheppard (..." one of the most assured and versatile saxophonists on the scene today.", BBC Radio 3), Breakestra ("This funk's so deep you'll be wading in it", Time Out), Stan Tracey ("... one of the outstanding figures the UK has given to the world of jazz", BBC Radio 3), John Etheridge ("one of the best jazz guitarists in the world", Pat Metheny), Harry Beckett's All-Star Quintet ("the group has real presence", The Guardian), a rare UK appearance by American jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater and much more...all under one spectacular roof!
In addition to the evening performances there will also be a Jazz Lounge in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall featuring local bands, DJs and screenings, plus a newly-commissioned event for families - Tom Bancroft's Kidsamonium - a fun, magical musical event aimed at six to thirteen year olds, with contributions by a range of artists appearing elsewhere in the festival (including a join in mass 'Percussion Discussion') combined with performances and interactive musical games by a troupe of musical characters.
Another exciting strand to next year's festival is the links with the Netherlands, supported by Dutch Jazz Connection and the Dutch Embassy. Featuring an array of Dutch musicians celebrating their country's long association with groundbreaking jazz, the line up includes two of Europe's most revered improvisers - the extraordinary pianist Misha Mengelberg and innovative jazz drummer Han Bennink, plus virtuoso cellist Ernst Reijseger and much more.
The Festival also has a special focus in 2006 on the connection between jazz and dance, with a residency by award winning dancer/choreographer Sheron Wray collaborating with trumpeter Byron Wallen, plus a late night set by the sensational JazzCotech dancers performing with Holland's New Cool Collective, the Dutch eight-piece who have taken the European circuit by storm.
THE FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE:
Friday 17th March
Hall One, 7.30pm
Gilles Worldwide...
Airto Moreira
The Heritage Orchestra
Robert Glasper Trio
Hall Two, 8pm
Gilles Impressed...
Stan Tracey Quartet with Bobby Wellins
Harry Beckett All-Star Quintet
Concourse, 10pm onwards
DJ set from Gilles Peterson
Saturday 18th March
Northern Rock Foundation Hall and other spaces, 11am
Kidsamonium, with Tom Bancroft and friends
Hall Two, 2.30 - 6pm
Dutch Jazz Connection
Misha Mengelberg
Han Bennink
Ernst Reijseger with Mola Sylla and Serigne Gueye
Guus Janssen and David Kweksilber
Hall One 7.30pm
Dee Dee Bridgewater and band
Support: John Etheridge - Solo Guitar
Hall Two, 10.30pm - Midnight Messin' Around with JazzCotech Dancers plus New Cool Collective
Sunday 19th March
Northern Rock Foundation Hall and other spaces, 11am
Kidsamonium, with Tom Bancroft
Hall Two, 2.30pm
Sheron Wray and Byron Wallen - dance and music
Hall One, 7.30pm
Maceo Parker plus Breakestra
Hall Two, 8pm
CMN present Ketil Bjrnstad with Eivind Aarset (guitar), Arild Andersen (bass), Kristin Asbjornsen (voice), Svante Henryson (cello), Per Lindvall and Alex Riel (drums), Andy Sheppard (saxophones)
For more information, images or review tickets please contact: Helen Fussell, Media and Marketing Officer, The Sage Gateshead (t) +44 (0)191 443 4567 (e) [email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
