A major line-up has been announced for the inaugural Northumberland Jazz Festival taking place in Hexham on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May.
Presented by Queen’s Hall Arts, the festival will get underway on Saturday 25 May as the Paul Edis Trio is joined by special guests Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams. In what promises to be an unforgettable night for Jazz lovers, “major voice in British Jazz” (Jazz Journal) Paul Edis will return to Queen’s Hall’s main stage after an incredible Christmas 2023 performance alongside arguably one of the best pairings on the UK Jazz scene, Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams.
Other highlights include London-born, Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and musician Bryony Jarman-Pintowho will play Hexham Library on Sunday 26 May. Bryony is famed for seamlessly blending enchanting vocals and spellbinding jazz-infused melodies with intricately crafted and personal lyrics.
A takeover of a Hexham Bandstand Session has also been confirmed with acclaimed British Jazz singer Alice Grace headlining on Sunday 26 May. Tyne Valley Youth Big Band are set to support Alice Grace with a set promising everything Stevie Wonder to Miles Davis! Everyone is welcome at this free and un-ticketed event, that will launch this year’s Hexham bandstand sessions programme.
Finishing off the weekend is the Clark Tracey Quintet who will perform on Queen’s Hall’s main stage on Sunday evening. A five-time winner of “Best Drummer” in the British Jazz Awards, Clark Tracey is a well-established jazz master and presents his new quintet, providing a platform for some of the most outstanding young musicians. Clark will be joined by Emily Masser on vocals, Graham Harvey and BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year FinalistsAlex Clarke on saxophone and James Owston on bass.
Joe Steels, Northumberland Jazz Festival Programmer, commented: "It's been a privilege to programme this year’s festival, working with a brilliant group of people from Queen’s Hall and beyond. The line-up brings together some of the finest local players with incredible musicians across the country. Seasoned pros combining with exciting new talent. I'm very proud to have a part in the organisation of the festival - and can't wait to hear all the music!"
Katy Taylor, Queen’s Hall’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive explained: “We’re delighted to be announcing such an exciting line-up for the first Northumberland Jazz Festival. Our regular Sunday Jazz events are fast becoming very popular and regularly sell out - proving there to be a real and lasting appetite for Jazz in Hexham. So, it’s great to be able to offer a full weekend of performances from such incredible and varied musicians. We’d really encourage people to get involved and show their support for this year’s programme in the hope that the festival can come back, and bigger in 2025.”
Ticketing information:
Prices for individual events range from FREE (and un-ticketed) to £27 and festival passes are also available:
Sunday Day Pass
Get a Sunday Day Pass for Northumberland Jazz Festival and get entry to both Bryony Jarman-Pinto's and Clark Tracey Quintet’s performances for £25.
Weekend Pass
Get a Weekend Pass for Northumberland Jazz Festival and get entry to Saturday's Paul Edis Trio with special guests Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams performance and Bryony Jarman-Pinto and Clark Tracey Quintet on Sunday for £46.
Running on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, tickets for Northumberland Jazz Festival 2024 are available online (see links below), in person or by calling the Queen’s Hall Box Office team on 014434 652477.
Picture credit: is Alice Grace by Lang Shot Photography
