Bandstand Sessions: Alice Grace & Tyne Valley Youth Big Band
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Northumberland Jazz Festival 2024 is proud to takeover Hexham Bandstand Sessions on Sunday 26 May with exciting performances from...
Tyne Valley Youth Big Band, 12.30pm
Taken over from Dave Hignett by Evan Abel and Joe Steels in 2022, the Tyne Valley Youth Big Band continues to provide opportunities for young musicians to explore and eclectic range of music in a supportive environment. Expect music from Stevie Wonder to Miles Davis!
Alice Grace, 1.30pm
Alice Grace is a young British jazz singer whose career began touring with established UK jazz big band The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and singing with the James Pearson Trio at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, before landing a place to continue her musical education at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
After graduating she sang with a variety of jazz and soul ensembles performing at prestigious venues such as The Southbank Centre, The Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as more intimate jazz venues across the UK and Europe.
Following a time in London, Alice headed over to the Middle East and embarked on a two year stint in the UAE. Co-founding successful band The Swing Revue, Alice performed for clients such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Lanvin, Moet & Chandon, Dubai Film Festival and the Dubai World Cup, as well as featuring regularly at well-known venues such as Jazz Pizza Express, Pacha Ibiza and The Atlantis Hotel.
Since relocating back to the UK, Alice has found a home in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With a new jazz quartet, she is blending into the North East jazz scene, performing music from her early years combined with a more contemporary selection. Alice’s experiences have heavily influenced her live performance, turning an academic jazz musician into a respected and international artist. 2016 will see Alice recording a jazz EP with the new quartet and setting her sights on the UK Jazz Festival scene.
Alice will be accompanied by Joe Steels on guitar, Paul Susans on bass and John Hirst on drums.
Other Northumberland Jazz Festival Events...
What are the bandstand sessions?
Presented by Core Music CIC, the Bandstand Sessions, funded by Hexham Town Council, have been running since the Summer of 2021.
Initially the project aimed to offer professional performance opportunities to original local and regional music artists whose livelihoods had disappeared during the pandemic, often with no financial support or furlough options, the Sele Park Bandstand was selected as a safe venue for audiences to gather during pandemic restrictions.
This initiative was so successful that the Bandstand Sessions are now continuing into a fourth year, bringing Hexham’s Victorian bandstand back into regular use for what it was originally designed for!
The Bandstand Sessions make live music free for the whole community to enjoy while simultaneously ensuring that original artists are paid professionally for their work.
When and where are the Bandstand Sessions?
The Bandstand Sessions 2024 programme will run every Sunday from May 26 - July 28 on the Sele Park Bandstand. Sessions run from 12– 2pm but some ‘take-over' events will run extended hours. For more information and updates, follow Core Music CIC on social media.
Hexham Community Partnership kindly provide deck chairs; it is advisable to bring what you need for the session including food, drink, seating, and appropriate clothing for an outdoor event. The Sele Park public toilets will be open and accessible to all.
Who are the Bandstand Sessions for?
Audience – anyone and everyone. All welcome, free of charge!
Performers – The Bandstand Sessions provide professional opportunities to original local acts and emerging artists as the project was in part created to nurture and provide opportunities for those that missed starting a career during the pandemic months.
The Bandstand Sessions is a live music event, and we welcome those working with electronic music providing there is a significant live element to performances.
Unfortunately, the Bandstand Sessions cannot offer performances to ‘cover’ bands or artists using pre-recorded backing tracks.
Bandstand Sessions - Free to access
Core Music CIC and Hexham Town Council are proud to offer these events at no cost to the public, but funding is required to make this provision free. Please consider donating to Core Music.