Blues, Jazz and Swing Festival at The Exchange Theatre

A weekend of performance conversation and events celebrating the influence of jazz across the region.

With music to suit all tastes and events for curious jazz-novices or aficionados alike this is chance to dance learn or just sit back in the café and enjoy the vibes.

The auditorium will be ringing with the sounds of brilliant North East bands The Commandments On Parole Swung Eight King Bees Abbie Finn Trio and Wild Women of Wylam. 

The auditorium will be set with cabaret-style seating including a dance floor. Put on your dancing shoes with a free taster swing dance class with Swung Eight on Saturday 7pm (no experience required) before then enjoying Jazz DJ sets and live music from the King Bees.

Another highlight is a screening of film ‘Geordie Jazz Man’ about the late eccentric Keith Crombie and Newcastle’s infamous Jazz Café.

There will be plenty of home-grown local talent including from the Langdale Youth Jazz Ensemble The Exchange Theatre regulars 4B and Panharmonia who originally formed at a jazz jam at The Exchange Cafe Bar. Plus join in with a Jazz Jam on Sunday 6.30pm-8.30pm.

An introduction to storytelling through jazz by PhD researcher James Mackay will explore questions like ‘Why do some pieces of music move us?’. 

Some events are ticketed but all are Pay What You Feel making it the perfect opportunity to try something new. If you are able please give generously to help us to do more.

Produced by The Exchange Theatre this festival is part of the Mouth of Tyne Collective with extra support for Sunday’s programme in memory of Ray Truscott…The beat goes on.

Host or Publisher The Exchange Theatre