OXYD in Newcastle date

OXYD 

Paul Bream writes

Like a lot of jazz promoters, Jazz North East usually goes on holiday during August, topping up their tans in Whitley Bay. But when the Paris-based quintet OXYD got in touch about a possible gig in advance of a Manchester Jazz Festival appearance, they put their beach plans on hold.

The approach wasn’t entirely unexpected, as JNE have forged strong links with the French jazz scene, and now probably present more French bands than any UK promoter outside London. But OXYD was a new name, and a quick check on their track record was enough to reach a decision; hints of the downtown New York scene combined with influences from alternative rock, improv and contemporary music, and all given that indefinable but instantly recognisable quelque chose that marks out much young French jazz (there isn’t an accordion, but you feel it wouldn’t be out of place!). 

The band comprises Thibault Perriard; Olivier Laisney; Oliver Degabriele; Julien Pontvianne; Alexandre Herer. They appears at Newcastle’s Bridge Hotel on Sunday 2nd August, presenting their latest project - jazz deconstructions of the music of Nirvana (including some original compositions loosely inspired by the grunge icons). JNE programmer Paul Bream admits it’s all a bit of a risk; “We’re putting on an unknown band in a reputedly dead month, playing music from which some mainstream jazz fans might recoil - but jazz musicians have always used the pop music of their day as an inspiration, and we regard this as part of that tradition, and something that deserves to be heard.  

Details of the gig can be found at http://jazznortheast.com/event_detail.php?event_id=221.

Doors 7:30pm : £10/8 entry : Music starts 8.00pm. There is no wheelchair access to this venue.
The Bridge Hotel
Castle Square
Newcastle
NE1 1RQ