Newology, the latest version of Paul Towndrow's group, was one of the biggest successes of the 2009 Glasgow Jazz Festival, where it was heard by Jazz North East's treasurer Dave Clarke, who quickly recommended that we give the band a Newcastle gig. It's taken a while to organise - a band packed with as many talents as this can be hard to pull together - but the wait is sure to prove worth it. Over the years since his first quartet recording in 2003, Towndrow's bands have made giant strides in the confidence of their playing, and the quality of his original compositions. With the inclusion of such stunning players as award-winning trumpeter Ryan Quigley and rising star guitarist Mark McKnight, not to mention an inspirational rhythm section, this is the best yet: their new album has received rave reviews, but there's no substitute for the power and immediacy of their live performances. A gig to set the Corner House alight!