(Image courtesy of Flaneur Photographic)
Parliamentary Jazz Musician of the Year, Zoe Gilby, takes her wonderful sound on the road throughout 2020 along with the release of two albums, and arrives in Hexham, at the famed Queen’s Hall Arts, next week. You can check out more when you go to idealmusical.
Citing the Northumberland town, and venue, as somewhere that has important meaning during the early stages of her jazz career, Zoe’s early focus this year has been on the upcoming release of her Aurora Project, that, alongside another later in the year.
Ahead of her visit to Hexham, Zoe spoke of Aurora, saying: “It’s been a real treat to record nine, amazing, Tom Harrell compositions in just two days straight after new year.
“Laying the tracks down in the fabulous Loft Recording Studios in Newcastle, I cannot fault this studio, it is brilliant and the Recording Engineer, Adam Sinclair, was superb whilst the musicians really did bring it all to life.
“It was a relaxed yet a super-productive session with the quartet of Mark Williams (guitar), Noel Dennis (trumpet and flugelhorn horn), Andy Champion (double bass), Russ Morgan (drums) and myself on vocals, singing the lyrics which I wrote for a project that is so dear to my heart and one which we can’t wait to release in the spring.”
Zoe, who has an affinity with the Northumberland town, said of her impending visit that: “I’m so excited to be heading back to Queens Hall in Hexham next week.
“It’s a beautiful building and this event will be extra special as it will be held in the atmospheric library.
“I have a deep fondness for Hexham supporting my jazz career over the years and it’s always a warm and inviting crowd there who have encouraged me from the off.
“If it wasn’t for jazz promoters and audiences, like the kind in Hexham, I know I wouldn’t have achieved the success that I am so honoured to have received over these past years.”
Continuing, Zoe spoke of the affects Hexham, and the Queen’s Hall, has had on her career, stating that it: “Boosted my confidence, certainly as a songwriter and a performer.
“I felt that, in having the opportunity to perform at these fantastic venues like the Queen’s Hall in Hexham, they helped give me my wings so to speak and it is always a joy to share my music with my incredible band, tell the stories and paint the pictures of my songs to the inspiring ears of the welcoming audience who I can’t wait to spend next Thursday with music lovers at this magnificent venue.”
Performing what is a story-telling, atmospheric repertoire, Zoe’s impressive back catalogue includes a blend of the contemporary, from Kate Bush to Pink Floyd, alongside a rather sensitive treatment of the jazz standards she loves so much.
Tickets for the Zoe Gilby Quartet Jazz at Hexham’s Queen’s Hall Arts Centre on Thursday 19 March via https://www.queenshall.co.uk/events/zoe-gilby-quartet or calling the Box Office on 01434 652477, priced £12.