Birkett & Fisk

Programme

Taking inspiration from the pioneering jazz violin and guitar partnership of Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang, Emma & James present a programme of 1920s & 30s repertoire, featuring Venuti & Lang's original compositions as well as music by the period's great songwriters.

Their programme will shine a light particularly on the year 1928 with renditions of iconic recordings made by Joe and Eddie in this year, and compositions first heard during the twelve months that saw Amelia Earheart attempt to fly across the Atlantic; the first machine wrapped and sliced loaf of bread; Mickey Mouse make his official debut in Steamboat Willie; the Threepenny Opera open in Berlin and men and women granted equal voting rights in the UK!

James Birkett (guitar) is one the country’s most acclaimed guitarists. He developed and led one of the UK’s first degree programmes in jazz and related music, which is now run at Sage Gateshead. He has a PhD in jazz improvisation and has two books of jazz guitar transcriptions published by International Music Publishers. James has worked with many major jazz soloists from the UK (incl. Guy Barker, Alan Barnes and Chris ‘Snake’ Davis) and the USA (incl. Peanuts Hucko, Kenny Davern and Scott Hamilton), and continues to perform with a variety of jazz ensembles, regularly undertaking concert, festival and broadcast work.

Emma Fisk (violin) has been playing jazz violin since she was a teenager when she soaked up classic Grappelli recordings and was lucky enough to meet the man himself after a performance at Sunderland Empire. As well as performing as a duo with James, she leads her own quartet, Hot Club du Nord and is a founder member of Gypsy Jazz quartet Djangologie with whom she has toured and recorded for the past 15 years. She has appeared as guest violinist at jazz festivals throughout the UK, including performances with the Remi Harris Trio, Keith Nichols’ jazz orchestras and The Jazz Repertory Company.