(Image: Supplied)
British swing favourites King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys and rising jazz star Olivia Cuttill are set to bring Durham Jazz Festival to a close with a double-header finale later this month.
The bill at Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall on Sunday, October 25 combines high-energy jump, jive and swing with soulful, story-led jazz from one of the UK’s most exciting young trumpet players.
John Lyons, co-director of Durham Jazz Festival, said: "We wanted the final night to feel like a celebration.
Olivia Cuttill (Image: Supplied)
"King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys know exactly how to get a room moving, while Olivia is an extraordinary musician who combines New Orleans swing and soulfulness with great storytelling.
"You don’t need to know anything about jazz to have a brilliant time at this show.
"Just come ready for a great night of live music."
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys (Image: Supplied)
The double bill is part of the inaugural three-day festival, which runs from October 23 to 25 at venues across Durham city.
The festival is presented in association with the Durham Brass Festival.
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys have played more than 7,000 shows in 21 countries over nearly four decades, sharing stages with B.B. King and Ray Charles.
Their blend of jump, jive, blues and swing has made them firm favourites on the British jazz scene and beyond.
Janette Mason (Image: Supplied)
Award-winning trumpeter, composer and lyricist Olivia Cuttill draws inspiration from New Orleans.
Her influences include Louis Armstrong, Dr John and Nina Simone.
With her quintet, she will deliver a set packed with character, warmth and storytelling.
Councillor Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said the festival would help make music and culture more accessible across County Durham.
Olivia Cutill (Image: Supplied)
Cllr Allison said: "As such, we’re delighted to support Durham Jazz Festival, which is helping to diversify the county’s cultural offer and bring more unique experiences to communities."
The closing concert runs from 8pm to 10.30pm and will round off the festival’s first edition.
The weekend programme also has plenty for jazz fans, old and new.
Norwegian cellist Maja Bugge and pianist Dave Evans will open Friday, October 23, at Claypath Delicatessen with a set blending jazz, improvisation and contemporary composition.
Olivia Cutill (Image: Supplied)
Later that night, Newcastle collective SwanNek will bring experimental jazz to Fabio’s Bar.
The programme also features OUTRI, the solo bass project of North East musician Ian ‘Dodge’ Paterson.
Paterson will perform on Saturday afternoon, mixing jazz, folk, electronica and found sound through live looping.
Sunday afternoon will feature a high-energy tribute to the electric period of Miles Davis, marking the jazz legend’s centenary year.
Janette Mason’s ReWired project will rework pop and rock classics through jazz.
Ms Mason said: "My approach to jazz is innovative, but the music is very accessible – people will know the tunes, just not in the way they would expect.
"From Kate Bush’s ‘The Man with the Child in His Eyes’ to Bowie’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’ and Oasis’s ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, I take familiar songs and put them through the jazz tumble dryer to see what comes out the other end.
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"I love watching people’s faces light up when they recognise a tune.
"You don’t need to be a jazz fan to enjoy it, but I hope the audience leaves with a new appreciation of what jazz can do."
See the full programme and ticket details at durhamjazzfestival.co.uk.