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| Gateshead International Jazz Festival 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |