When bassist Michael Janisch moved to the UK from his native America, he brought with him a contacts book stuffed full with outstanding young players from the New York and Boston areas, and has used this to pull together a succession of sensational Anglo-American groups.

This new quintet may well be the most exciting yet. Boston-based trumpeter Jason Palmer and Stanley-born saxophonist Paul Booth were in Michael's last touring group, which played Live Theatre to enormous acclaim in September 2009, but Argentinian (now New York based) pianist Leo Genovese and drum phenomenon Colin Stranahan will both be making their Tyneside debuts. As usual Michael is writing new music specifically for this combination, to ensure that the talents of the individual members are heard to best effect, and that the overall group sound has the maximum drive and excitement.