AHEAD of Burns Night, Middlesbrough Town Hall is kicking off 2020 with an afternoon of live music, celebrating the unique energy of Scotland’s vibrant jazz scene.

Taking place on Sunday, January 19, some of Glasgow’s finest jazz musicians are set to perform in The Crypt within Middlesbrough Town Hall.

As part of a successful series of monthly Sunday afternoon jazz concerts, the Burns Night celebration will be headlined by Tom Bancroft’s In Common, a musical project fusing the common elements of jazz, electronica, Scottish folk and Indian classical music to create a unique sound centred around drones, grooves and improvisation.

Support comes from BBC Introducing’s One to Watch, Georgia Cecile, winner of The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Joe Williamson, and Scottish Jazz Award winners, the Fergus McCreadie Trio.

Leading a new wave of Scottish jazz, Glaswegian up-and-comer Cecile is receiving acclaim from critics and audiences alike with her unique blend of jazz, pop, R&B and soul.

With the release of her debut album just around the corner, Cecile will be bringing some new music to her set.

Joining Cecile is Joe Williamson’s latest project, Animal Society, a mix of electronic jazz and stadium rock, with influences as far reaching as Rage Against The Machine, Pat Metheny and EST.

Finally, winners of the best album at the 2019 Scottish Jazz Awards, the Fergus McCreadie Trio will bring their blend of jazz and Scottish traditional music, described by Jazzwise Magazine as “simply outstanding”.

Commenting on the forthcoming show, lead programmer, Ros Rigby said: “The gig on January 19 will get us all in the mood for Burns Night the following weekend, with four amazing bands drawing on some of Scotland’s finest jazz musicians.

"Get there early as to fit them all in we’ll be starting at 1pm."

  • Sunday Jazz Burns Night Special (ft. Georgia Cecile, Tom Bancroft’s In Common, Joe Williamson’s Animal Society and the Fergus McCreadie Trio), Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday, January 19 from 1pm. All under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Tickets are available via middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk priced at just £12 (plus booking fee) or by calling the Box Office on 01642 729729.