Preview: December - it's one big Xmas prezzie! As the 'Big Day' approaches you could be forgiven for thinking the north east jazz scene will slow down. Not a bit of it, December is as busy as ever! Here's a selection...Tuesday (Dec. 2) brings James Birkett & Emma Fisk to the Great Hall, Sutherland Building, Northumbria University. It's a 1:15pm start and, at free admission, it's a bargain!  In the evening there's
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Sam Lightwing Quintet @ the Moor Club, Stockport © Jeff PritchardSam Lightwing (alto/tenor sax); Will Bird (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ethan Gillespie (piano); Pete Hartley (bass); Callum Montgomery (drums)The band, which featured a frontline of Sam Lightwing on alto and tenor sax and Will Bird on trumpet and flugelhorn, played a mix of older material by Rollins and Clifford Brown alongside more recent tunes from Roy Hargrove's 2008 album Earfood&
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Album review:Josh Rager Quartet - Heart's Pace (Bent River Records) Josh Rager (piano); Peter Bernstein (guitar); Alec Walkington (bass); Rich Irwin (drums)The blurb refers to Rager as a distinguished Canadian jazz pianist which may bring to your mind another musician who also fits that description. Like the late Oscar, Rager is indeed a distinguished Canadium pianist and composer.Eight tracks - six originals and a couple of standards -  are sublimely played
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Luck Be A Lady ~ Down for the Count Swing Orchestra conducted by Mike Pa... Tonight at Newcastle Cathedral the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra are Swinging into Christmas why not join them? 7:30pm start. Lance
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James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Northumbria University - Dec. 2 James Birkett (guitar); Emma Fisk (violin)Sutherland Building, standing on the corner of Northumberland Road and College Street, is one of Northumbria University's more imposing buildings. The Great Hall dominates the first floor: high ceilings, ornate plaster features, a near walk-in size fireplace, yes, a quite impressive setting.This afternoon's concert departed from the usual classical music
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