BBC Proms at Sage Gateshead: Yazz Ahmed & Arun Ghosh
Sage Gateshead and GemArts Masala Festival present a late-night special of extraordinary music performed by two leading lights of the British jazz scene.
British-Bahraini trumpet player Yazz Ahmed and her quartet blur the lines between jazz and electronic sound design, bringing together the sounds of her mixed heritage in what has been described as ‘psychedelic Arabic jazz, intoxicating and compelling’. Her career is studded with high profile collaborations, which have seen her record and perform with the likes of Radiohead, Lee Scratch Perry, Transglobal Underground, Arturo O’Farrill, and Natacha Atlas.
British-Asian clarinettist, composer and bandleader Arun Ghosh and his quintet deliver a passionate sound driven by soaring melodies, hypnotic rhythms and transcendental textures. Twice awarded Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Arun’s musical style takes a multi-era / multi-genre approach; where numerous strands of jazz join forces with a myriad of musical influences: from jungle to punk, blues to Bollywood…and beyond.
GemArts award winning Masala Festival is a weeklong festival celebrating a mix & blend of the finest South Asian Arts & Culture, packed full of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, pop ups, talks and demonstrations, presented in places and spaces across the North East from 17th to 23th July 2023. For the full programme visit www.gemarts.org
This concert is supported by Jazz North East.
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be performing with my band at the Sage Gateshead as part of this year’s BBC Proms and the Masala festival, especially as my previous concert at the venue took place during the 2020 lockdown where I presented my music to an empty hall! So I am very much looking forward to engaging with a real life audience this time! I am also delighted to be sharing the sounds of my mixed heritage, and telling the stories of the women I find inspiring, at this unique festival celebrating South Asian arts.’ – Yazz Ahmed
‘I’m delighted to be returning to the iconic Sage Gateshead and perform at Masala Festival, playing music from my latest album Seclused in Light. We’ve performed at Sage Gateshead many times over the years, and always get a fantastic welcome. We’re a Northern band, playing an Indojazz style, a universal sound…and I feel honoured to be bringing this vibe to the BBC Proms.’ – Arun Ghosh
ℹ Useful Information
Discover more about the music and performers in your FREE concert programme.
This concert is expected to last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an interval.
For a seat nearer the stage and a table to pop your drink on, select Cabaret seating – perfect for a casual live music experience. Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to perform as part of a cabaret!
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.