Joe Steels Group
Sunday 25 May, 7pm
Joe Steels – Guitar
Ben Lawrence – Piano
Paul Susans – Double Bass
John Hirst – Drums
Joe Steels Group draws together some of the most exciting musicians from the North-East to perform an eclectic array of music which fuses jazz with elements of folk, rock and more.
Joe plays with a deep consideration of the tradition in jazz, mixed with innovation and a strong melodic sensibility.
Joined by Ferg Kilsby on Trumpet, Ben Lawrence on Piano, Paul Susans on Double Bass, and John Hirst on drums, this band deliver a vibrant and joyous performance.
“The standout act.” Simply Jazz Talk
Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Mike Walker & Steve Watts
Sunday 25 May, 8.15pm
“In the old days, this band would have had the words “All-Stars” in their name. Every one of them is a leading figure in British contemporary jazz. Together, they create 10 evocative sound-pictures of places and times. It’s remarkable how just three instruments and voice can suggest space and depth as they do.” Dave Gelly, The Observer
This is an ensemble with a vast emotional range ,brought together by their collective love of song and a powerful spirit of collaboration, Smallprint set out to cross many musical boundaries. With themes of obsession, murder, migration, home and first love, they present a brilliant unity of concept and sound, delivered with honesty and stunning clarity.
Award winning pianist composer Nikki Iles is one of the heroines of British jazz. She has made an invaluable contribution to the jazz scene in this country and beyond, while also making a very personal musical statement in many groups, not least her own superb Anglo-American trio with Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams and as Composer in Residence withe NDR Big band in Hamburg.
Grammy nominated and ECM recording artist Norma Winstone MBE, pioneering innovator of the voice, has been a leading light in European music for many years. She collaborated with Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor in Azimuth. She has also worked with Fred Hersch, Steve Swallow, Jimmy Rowles, Mike Gibbs and Ralph Towner. She has had a resurgence recently, with three superb award winning ECM releases in collaboration with European musicians, Klaus Gesing and Glauco Venier.
Mike Walker is rightly regarded as one of Europe's most exciting guitarists - always passionate, dangerous and highly inventive. He has worked with some of the most innovative musicians in the world including George Russell , Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Julian Arguelles and Gwylim Simcock.
Bassist Steve Watts has been the all important linchpin in many significant bands in British Jazz, not least Django Bates’ Human Chain, and with Kenny Wheeler and Stan Sulzmann. He has also worked with Iain Ballamy and Kirk Lightsey and Joe Lovano .
Sunday Pass!
Get a Sunday Pass for Northumberland Jazz Festival and get entry to Catriona Bourne and Joe Steels Group + Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Mike Walker & Steve Watts on Sunday for £35. Discount applied in basket when adding tickets for all events.
Weekend Pass!
Get a Weekend Pass for Northumberland Jazz Festival and get entry to Saturday's Dean Stockdale Quartet + Mingus Sings and Catriona Bourne and Joe Steels Group + Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Mike Walker & Steve Watts on Sunday for £60. Discount applied in basket when adding tickets for all events.
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