A galaxy of British jazz talent joins top American and European attractions in Gateshead between March 20 and 22. Trumpeter Guy Barker’s orchestra, saxophonist Courtney Pine, singers Cleveland Watkiss and Ian Shaw, pianist Brian Kellock, Alan Barnes’ clarinet and Scots mavericks Trio AAB feature in a packed programme, which also welcomes veteran singer Sheila Jordan, saxophonist Joshua Redman and new Bluenote Records guitar sensation Lionel Loueke to the northeast of England’s flagship venue, the Sage.

Celebrating forty years of ECM Records, there’s also a double bill featuring Polish pianist Marcin Wasilewski’s trio (formerly trumpeter Tomasz Stanko’s rhythm section) and the minimalist power grooving of Swiss pianist Nik Bartsch’s superbly organised group, Ronin.

Those who don’t have quite so far to travel include Leeds based Trio VD, composer John Warren’s Splinter Group and the Northern Sinfonia, who are celebrating the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in a special presentation.

11/02/2009