Jazz North East - Who Are We

WHO WE ARE
Jazz North East was established in 1966 and is the oldest grant-supported, jazz promoting body in the UK. JNE is a limited company and a registered charity (Charity No. 507509) and is managed by a Board consisting of six unpaid Directors:
Margaret Barnes - Front of House
Paul Bream - Publicity & Programme
Dave Clarke - Finance
Russell Corbett - Publicity Distribution
Sue Hurrell –  Front of House
Lance Liddle – Front of House
Wes Stephenson – Technical Advice
Pam Young - Secretary & Front of House
To contact any of the Directors, please use the CONTACT Form on this website.

WHAT WE OFFER
Jazz North East's core annual funding is provided by Jazz Action, the Jazz Development Agency for the North East region. With our annual grant, plus project grants (Newcastle City Council, Performing Rights Society, Arts Council) and by sharing costs with other promoters, we are able to mount a regular programme of up to 20 concerts.

Our most regular partner is Gateshead Council with whom we promote big names in Gateshead Old Town Hall. Our sole promotions are normally at the Corner House pub in Heaton, Newcastle, with Free Jazz events at venues including the Star & Shadow Cinema and the Bridge Hotel (both Newcastle).

Money is always a problem so we welcome approaches from potential Co-Promoters and Corporate Sponsors. Donations are also greatly welcomed. Our Charitable Status delivers tax benefits. Please use the CONTACT button to reach us.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Jazz North East operates two free mailing lists for the general public, one by email and one by post. You'll not be surprised to learn that email is our favourite medium - cheap and easy - but you can sign up for either by clicking the CONTACT button on this website and giving us a few basic details about yourself.

BANDS PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
In its first decade Jazz North East focused mainly on the big names of American jazz and blues - Duke Ellington, Roland Kirk, Ben Webster, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and many more. From the '70s onwards the focus shifted to include British stars and, despite 9 gigs by Jimmy Witherspoon, away from the blues. Some of those presented up to the turn of the century included Joe Harriott, Michael Garrick, Stan Tracey, Mike Osborne, Evan Parker, Keith Tippett, Steve Lacy, Carla Bley, George Russell, Lee Konitz and Eddie Lockjaw Davis.

In the 12 months to December 2010 our diverse programme included concerts by – amongst others - the Alyn Cosket Quartet, the Graeme Stephen Septet, Liam Noble, the Michael Garrick Trio, Acoustic Ladyland, Jason Yarde, and French star Emile Parisien. Loss of our core funding meant that there was no edition of our ‘On the Outside’ Festival, but assistance from Newcastle City Council meant that we were able to continue a series of one-off free improvisation concerts, with such major names as Sonny Simmons, John Butcher, Mujician, Japanese pianist Aki Takase, and the Dutch-German-Canadian sextet Kindred Spirits.

Bands seeking a gig with Jazz North East should contact Paul Bream on 0191 234 2865 or at paulbream773@btinternet.com