"Irresistible joie de vivre" Kevin Le Gendre (Jazzwise)

An all-star lineup of dynamic Northern musicians, John Pope’s all-acoustic Quintet draws on the history of 60s free jazz and hard bop, but with a modern sensibility grounded in the sounds of today’s European scene. Playing hard-grooving, anything-goes energy music that seeks to bring people together in a joyous racket - this is not to be missed!

Formed in 2016 to perform a tribute concert for the late Ornette Coleman for Jazz North East, this group quickly grew to become Pope’s main project as a composer and bandleader. Taking inspiration from giants like Ornette, Mingus, Misha Mengelberg and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, plus a dash of DIY alternative rock attitude, the quintet’s music has grown into a creative space all of its own; dynamic, off-kilter, celebratory and full of rewards for the adventurous listener. They have performed across the nation, including sets at Gateshead International Jazz Festival at The Sage and Lancaster Jazz Festival, plus a successful tour across the North of England in 2019.

"Powerful Tyneside Bassist" - The Guardian

"...this is British jazz of international quality." - Jazz Journal​

John Pope // Double Bass
Jamie Stockbridge // Alto Saxophone
Faye MacCalman // Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet
Graham Hardy // Trumpet & Pocket Trumpet
Johnny Hunter // Drums