Garland is celebrated as one of the UK's leading jazz composers and saxophonists; on Friday 17th February he'll be taking his awesome 13-piece big-band ensemble to Gateshead Council's Caedmon Hall - the concert kicks off the venue's new season of eclectic music events. The following night - Saturday 18th February - sees the exceptional combo play the Darlington Arts Centre in Tees Valley - both shows will feature the guest vocals of Gospel-Soul Diva, Hannah Jones.
The Northern Underground Jazz Orchestra is packed to the brim with some of the finest musicians the jazz scene has to offer including one of the UK's best-loved big band drummers, Clarke Tracey. The ensemble's concerts will showcase new music penned by Garland; including freshly commissioned pieces that celebrate the Northeast for example tracks entitled: Angel Of The North; Cragside; Tynemouth Spray; and Flag March (dedicated to the Durham Miners' Gala). “I've been struck by how quickly the camaraderie has developed throughout the entire ensemble," said Tim Garland. Alongside these new evocative pieces the show will be featuring the vocal talents of singing sensation Hannah Jones; performing powerful new arrangements of classics such as 'God Bless The Child', 'At Last' and 'I Wish I knew what it was to be free'.
The Tim Garland and the Northern Underground Jazz Orchestra concerts are being supported by: Arts Council England, North East; Northern Rock Foundation and they also form part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative's world-class cultural programme.
Tim Garland will take to the stage fresh from recording new material with legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea; later in 2006 Garland will be part of Corea's band on their extensive world tour. The A-grade jazz company kept by Garland shows his worth as a top class musician, with the respect and creative adulation from some of the music business's big hitters - Garland is truly a master of his own art. Not content with being a number one jazz trooper, Tim has just finished composing a piece for the classical colossus known as the LSO (London Symphony Orchestra).
Concert Details:
Friday 17th February - Caedmon Hall in Gateshead, 8pm - ticket prices: 10 / 8 (concs). T: +44(0)191 433 8420. Venue address: Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 4LN. Website details: www.asaplive.com/iKnow/Arts.cfm?ccs=462
Saturday 18th February - Darlington Arts Centre, 8pm - ticket prices: 10 / 8 (concs) - T: +44(0)1325 486 555. Venue address: Vane Terrace, Darlington, DL3 7AX. Website Details: www.darlingtonarts.co.uk
Hannah Jones is a celebrated and accomplished vocalist whose career has spanned Soul, Gospel and Jazz. Jones has achieved two number one singles in the US dance charts and has enjoyed many musical collaborations including: the accolade of having two songs especially written for her by Boy George ("Strong Boy" and “40 days of rain"); has sung on a number of Elton John tracks and performed with '80's electro band Heaven 17. After travelling and touring across America with her amazing voice, Jones decided to come back and settle down in the UK. She became acquainted with Tim Garland during several headlining performances at exclusive jazz venues including Ronnie Scott's in London. The two then decided to join forces - as they were both based in the North East - which gave birth to the touring opportunity with the Northern Underground Jazz Orchestra project.
Garland continued: “Hannah has a powerful voice that marries beautifully with her amazing stage presence that coupled with the excellent soloists from the Orchestra really makes for a special experience. “The exceptional blend of music created on stage, attributes its extraordinary jazz velocity to having one foot in the contemporary compositions camp and the other toe-tapping away to groove orientated soul. Anyone who has a vested interest in music will be blown away by the shear zest produced by this collaboration."
Come along on Friday 17th February - Caedmon Hall in Gateshead & Saturday 18th February - Darlington Arts Centre; even if it's only to see... and hear, what all of the fuss is about.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
