Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2016 line up - Entrepreneur Generations

Terenece Blanchard

From festival director Ros Rigby

Gateshead International Jazz Festival is back - it runs from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 April 2016 at Sage Gateshead with a stellar line up of bands.

We’re proud to welcome back GRAMMY award-winning singer Gregory Porter after his sell out show last year to open this year’s festival. Saturday night’s stellar double bill opens with leading British saxophonist and festival favourite Courtney Pine with fellow Mercury nominee and MOBO award winning pianist, Zoe Rahman  In contrast, trumpeter, composer and former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers Terence Blanchard brings his new quintet, the E-Collective, in a powerful fusion of funk, R&B and rock.

Headlining Sunday night is American soul maestro Charles Bradley. His well-documented against-all-odds rise saw him transcend a bleak life on the streets before being discovered by Daptone Records. Other artists announced include award-winning singer-pianist Liane Carroll, described by Jamie Cullum as 'one of the greatest singers we have in this country'. Saxophonist John Surman emerged as part of a gifted generation of British jazz artists in the 60s – proving the age gap is no barrier to creativity, he is joined in a brand new quartet by the Alexander Hawkins Trio

British-Asian clarinettist and composer, Arun Ghosh, has been captivating audiences and critics alike with his trademark IndoJazz sound and Ibrahim Maalouf, widely regarded as one of the finest trumpeters of his generation, fusing pop, electro, soul, hip-hop with the music of his Lebanese roots

Café Society Swing features stellar vocalists and some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians in a show that tells the true story of the legendary New York nightclub which promoted racial equality and great music.  British jazz saxophonist Simon Spillett and his quartet will play a tribute to a revered British modern jazz star of the 50s and 60s, the late Tubby Hayes.

Fans of free jazz and improvisation will be treated to a solo performance from one of the most admired and influential saxophonists on the planet, Evan Parker. Award-winning British punk-jazz-funk specialists, WorldService Project bring to the festival high-octane experimental but accessible music – think Frank Zappa, Loose Tubes and Stravinsky, played loud.

As always the festival brings some of the newest and brightest lights on the international jazz scene to Gateshead. New York-based pianist and composer Kris Bowers is a leading voice in a vibrant new wave of genre bending jazz musicians. Saxophonist Phil Meadows is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most creative young jazz musicians. Airelle Besson’s sumptuous trumpet sound is catching the ears of listeners far beyond her native France. Malija is a brand new all-star trio, featuring saxophonist Mark Lockheart (Polar Bear), pianist Liam Noble and bassist Jasper Høiby (Phronesis). Pianist and composer Michel Reis has performed with Dave Holland, Joe Lovano and Esperanza Spalding. He shares a double bill with John Law, who brings all his varied influences in his new project, Congregation.

“This year’s Festival reflects the diversity of jazz in the 21st century, including well established names alongside some very exciting younger voices – we hope audiences will take the opportunity to find their own paths across the programme and try some new things as well as enjoying their favourites.”
Ros Rigby

Tickets go on general sale Friday 27 November, 10am online at http://ift.tt/1eQIGHC and 12noon at Ticket Office either in person or by calling 0191 443 4661.

from NorthernJazzLive http://ift.tt/1NQybQr Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2016 line up - Entrepreneur Generations

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