Roberto Fonseca Trio, Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2016 Saturday 16th April, 2016.

@folkastro

Roberto Fonseca - a Cuban master of his instrument; the trio - a tight 3 piece of piano, drums and bass played with verve and authority. This was a brilliant concert; best of the year at Sage so far; the artistry, sensitivity and variety of the play from this trio was amazing and enthralling. They played for the audience and with the audience who were willing participants in joining in the music; particularly in echoing the piano notes with voices. A great night out in Gateshead.

@gerry0504

Renowned as a prodigy from his time with The Buena Vista Social Club, the redoubtable Roberto Fonseca brought his prodigious power trio to illuminate the Gateshead International Jazz Festival with a sparkling performance combining traditional Cuban rhythms with jazz, african, soul & rock elements which was rapturously received by this responsive late night audience.

@alphaspud

A totally absorbing and brilliant performance!

Arun Ghosh Sextet, Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2016 Friday 15th April, 2016.

#Gadgees attended Gateshead International Jazz Festival for the first time, appropriately for a #BucketList.

 @folkastro

Arun Ghosh - indian waves of cool jazz floated over the Tyne on Friday night. The 5 piece band of clarinet, piano, table, drum and bass was tight and took the lead from Arun Ghosh - an artistic player of his instrument.  With a wide variety of jazz sound with indian and folk resonances there was a wonderful variety to the music

@Gerry0504

After an evocative opening with "After the Monsoon" ,  introduced as appropriate for recent Tyneside weather, an apologetic Arun Ghosh,"Sorry, I'm not on it tonight" ,played a majestic set heavily featuring his most recent album, "A South Asian Suite".

This #Gadgee particularly enjoyed his intro to "Mountain Song"  which I paraphrase, "It's supposed to be about Nepal, but I've never been, don't know anything about; actually it's set in The Lakes"

In a later aside, he revealed that he had been working with a class of  schoolkids from Roman Rd Primary, Gateshead on an original composition presented earlier this same evening in the concourse. Hence the apologies which were unnecessary IMO as Arun Ghosh gave a consummate performance with his sextet of British-Asian jazz. 

Making Tracks: "Night" at Sage gateshead Saturday 9th April, 2016.

#Gadgees always enjoy these #Making Tracks Events at The Sage, Gateshead, which have promoted new musical avenues from around the world.

@Gerry0504

Fresh from sessions on BBC R3 #Worldon3 with the estimable Lopa Kothari, @Thisislopa  & on BBC 6Music with Cerys Matthews  @cerysmatthews on her eclectic Sunday morning show, the Night provided an insight into Nepalese folk music. Apart from the obvious geographical journey, their musical one seems to be an encouraging travel into their roots as exemplified by the augmentation of  the group with  leaf player Shiva Kumar Bhattarai.

@folkastro 
Night from Nepal were a revelation. Talented but humble; amazing sounds from usual (guitar) and unusual Paluwa (leaf flute) together with many other local instruments (apparently up to 24 played on the recent album). The Making Tracks series which brought them to the Sage were again successful in delivering new and exciting music to the UK.

Folkworks One Night in Gateshead: The Elliots, The Doonans, The Unthanks and The Wilsons, Thursday April 7th 2016

#Gadgees had a family night out to this Geordie gig with three generations attending this memorable evening.

@folkastro

What can you say about the 4 fantastic family folk bands from the North East which won't have already been voiced at some point over the last 30 years (or 15 for the Unthanks). Starting with the everlasting Mining History songs from the Elliots of Birtley (and the really lovely introductions from Doreen); and the lovely support from Terri and Eric Freeman of the Davy Lamp Folk Club. Then the Doonans - multi instramentalists and great vocals with Irish dancing to boot; then the mighty Wilsons family from Teesside - the force of their vocals and the beautiful melodies with great humour made them the stand out act; not to take away from the haunting vocals and beautiful arrangements of the Unthanks; special praise for the beautiful self-penned song from George Unthank (father of the girls) with an out of this world alignment of a song about his family with stellar objects. A wonderful night for all ages; the most folkies I've seen in one area in the NE; completed with another rousing socialist singalong - fists pumping in the air!

@gerry0504
For me, this evening had the feel of an old time Geordie Music Hall night out, traditional music, glorious harmonies, singalong songs, dancing, stories & humour, Doreen being perfect hostess, comedienne & raconteur.
There was something for everyone, musically, with the Elliots preserving our mining heritage (& the great banner); the Doonans providing popular folk song & dance with Rosie's lovely voice; The Unthanks, performing a delightful version of "Shipbuilding", my favourite, by Elvis Costello in a perfect , set; & The Wilson's with the most glorious harmonies & a lovely rapport with the Doonans.

#Gadgees 90 year old patriarch was blown away by Wilsons & completely loved Unthanks in a thoroughly enjoyable evening. He thinks it should be annual event & says he will attend, if still around!