Saturday 24 May 2025 | 7pm | Queen's Hall, Hexham
Dean Stockdale Quartet: 100 Years of Oscar Peterson 7pm
Dean Stockdale – Piano | Tim Williams – Guitar | Gavin Barras – Bass | Gaz Hughes – Drums
The Dean Stockdale Quartet brings together four of the UK’s finest jazz musicians to showcase the music of the great Canadian Pianist Oscar Peterson, in what will be a special concert to honour and celebrate the centenary year of the legendary jazz pianist.
Performing new arrangements of Oscar’s compositions and music from famous albums such as Night Train, We Get Requests and The Canadiana Suit, this is a show that brings the infectious swing and virtuosity that symbolised Oscar’s groups such as those with Ray Brown, Joe Pass and Ed Thigpen, and this quartet reflects the influence Oscar continues to have on musicians and listeners worldwide with his musicality, elegance and unsurpassed pianism.
Dean Stockdale is a highly regarded jazz pianist, arranger and composer based in the North who is known for his sensitive, swinging style. Dean continues to be in demand as a performer with his trio and quartet, and as pianist for touring jazz artists, accompanist for vocalists and as a teacher and session pianist.
“Stockdale’s playing is consistently engaging and uniformly excellent.” JazzMann
Mingus Sings: Celebrating the Legacy of Jazz Icon Charles Mingus, 8.15pm
Sara Oschlag – Vocals | Alan Barnes – Sax | Tim Lapthorn – Piano | Arnie Somogyi – Bass | TBC - Drums
Renowned jazz vocalist Sara Oschlag and acclaimed bassist Arnie Somogyi have put together an extraordinary project featuring Charles Mingus' timeless compositions with added lyrics - some written by Mingus himself, others by Sara Oschlag and some by Joni Mitchell on her 1979 album, Mingus.
Charles Mingus, an iconic figure in the world of jazz, left an indelible mark on the genre with his innovative compositions, virtuosic bass playing, and fearless approach to music. The project brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the Mingus jazz classics that have influenced generations of musicians and listeners.
Audiences can expect to hear classics such as Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love, and Mingus Fingers like never before.
Arnie Somogyi, a highly respected bassist and composer, is no stranger to Mingus’ music. He has led his own Mingus repertoire band, Scenes in the City for over ten years and has headlined at Ronnie Scott’s as featured bassist with the official Mingus Big Band - a star-studded ensemble originally established by Sue Mingus, dedicated to performing the Mingus canon.
Danish vocalist Sara Oschlag has quietly established herself as one of the UK’s premier jazz talents. First choice with the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, Sara is a singer with a natural musician's ear, great phrasing and an effortless sense of swing - the perfect choice to breathe new life into this extraordinary repertoire. Her 2024 album, Yeah, was described by Jazzwise as a “tour de force” and a “constant delight”in a glowing 4-star review.
T: 01434 652477
E: [email protected]
W: www.queenshall.co.uk