Gig Preview: Fluid Orchestra, Black Swan Newcastle December 13th

                                                              Fluid Orchestra's Zoe Gilby

It's been a big year for Jazz North East as they celebrate an extraordinary 50 years of promoting live music. Their energy hasn't waned in those 50 years and 2016 has been another jam-packed year of performances for the organisation.

As their 50th birthday year draws to a close, they have set up a very special gig to round it off which takes place on December 13th at the Black Swan in Newcastle.

Who'd have believed it? Started back in 1966 with a concert by Earl 'Fatha' Hines, this year Jazz North East has been celebrating its 50th birthday.

And we couldn't let our special year come to a close without putting on something really extra special. Early in the year we decided that we wanted to create an entirely new band drawing on some of the most imaginative improvising musicians across the North, and we came up with a 12-piece line-up that must surely be unique in its composition, with theremin, violin and vibes sitting alongside the more conventional horns and rhythm section. Add Zoë Gilby's amazing vocal talents, and we have an orchestra with extraordinary creative potential.

Then, to make the best of that potential, we commissioned music from Graham Hardy, Corey Mwamba, Roller Trio's James Mainwaring, and the collaborative pairings of Faye MacCalman & Graeme Wilson, and Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion, giving us five new compositions reflecting the five decades of our existence. The orchestra have been rehearsing and refining the music since September, and now, for the very last concert of our anniversary year, everything will be revealed in all its remarkable glory!

But why the 'Fluid' Orchestra? Well, in part because we believe that the instrumental combination allows for an unprecedented flexibility, fluidity, in approach. But also we're so excited by the project that we hope to keep this going in future years, although probably with evolving changes in personnel to stimulate new creative challenges. It's a fluid concept, and it starts right here at the Black Swan.

The Fluid Orchestra are -

• Zoe Gilby
• Steve Hanley
• Mark Williams
• Johnny Richards
• James Mainwaring
• Graham Hardy
• Graeme Wilson
• Faye MacCalman
• Corey Mwamba
• Beatrix Ward-Fernandez
• Andy Champion
• Aby Vulliamy

For more information, visit the Jazz North East website.

Help Smoove&Turrell go to Canada Music Week

When not being one of the North's most in-demand jazz bass players and being a pillar of the jazz scene in the North East, Andy Champion is the bassist for Northern Funk outfit Smoove & Turrell.

Since 2009, the band have released 3 albums, appeared numerous times on national radio and toured extensively. They have supported Nile Rodgers and Martha and the Vandellas and appeared at international festivals.

This week, the band announced that they have been selected from thousands of bands to represent the UK music industry at Canada Music Week - a huge international music festival that is attended by US festival directors and bookers and agents from across the world.

In order to take advantage of this opportunity, Smoove & Turrell have to raise £5,000 and they have set up a Crowdfunder campaign to do so. It's going well so far with 71 backers and 53% of their total raised. Donors will receive a number of rewards including special merchandise and chances to win tickets to festivals and a one-off gig from the band themselves.

For full information, visit their Crowdfunder page. The campaign runs until April 29th.

Splinter at The Bridge's final gig, 26th April

Splinter at The Bridge has been part of the North East jazz scene for many years. Presenting a wide range of improvised music, Sunday evenings have seen many national and international touring groups as well as talent from the local area. However, Andy Champion and Zoe Gilby, who have run the night in recent years, have suffered from lower audience numbers and have made the difficult decision to stop running Splinter. Their final gig will be this Sunday 26th April with Yana - a trio which includes Corey Mwamba, Dave Kane and Joshua Blackmore.

From Zoe Gilby...

I’m sure that the final gig will be a fantastic evening of jazz and improvisation of the highest quality from some of the best musicians in the UK. Thanks to the “regulars” who have supported Splinter over the years, without you, Splinter could not have existed at all.

It has been announced that Jazz North East will take on Splinter, keeping the name and stellar reputation alive as a monthly gig. More news on that soon!

Black Friday at FUSEBOX

To remedy the stresses and strains of Black Friday, FUSEBOX in Leeds continue their programme of adventurous, experimental and improvised music.

Tonight, Chris Sharkey brings his trio Shiver back to FUSEBOX, after having their first gig there in 2013. Joined by bassist Andy Champion and drummer Joost Hendrickx, the band is described as being a 'love letter to the electric guitar', a boundary-pushing power trio.

Supporting Shiver are Cameron Vale, a newly emerged Progressive Jazz group that come recommended highly by Chris Sharkey himself! Featuring Miles Spilsbury (sax), George Birkett (guitar), Finn Booth (drums) and Sam Dutton-Taylor (bass).

As always, Fusebox concerts take place at the Fox and Newt, 9 Burley Street, Leeds LS3 1LD (opposite Park Lane College) Tel: 0113 245 4527
ADMISSION £8 / £6 Doors open 8.00 pm Live Music from 8.30 pm

 

Jon Faddis & Andy Champion Quintet at Durham Brass Festival

Tuesday 15th July
7.30pm
Gala Theatre, Durham
£12

American trumpeter Jon Faddis appears at the Durham International Brass Festival with North East bassist Andy Champion's Quintet on Tuesday 15th July.

The event, which is a commission event in partnership with Wigan Jazz Festival and Jazz North, also features Adrian Tilbrook, Graeme Wilson, Chris Hibbard and Paul Edis.