The great composer and bass player Neil Charles brings his new project Dark Days to Lantern Hall. Inspired by writer James Baldwin’s searing essays this concert marks 100 years since Baldwin’s birth and delivers a dramatic and engaging take on contemporary black music.
Featuring vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, drummer Mark Sanders, pianist Pat Thomas and Charles himself, this will be an unmissable performance.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Format: Reserved seating
Age: 14+ (Under 18s accompanied by an adult)
Doors: 19.30
Start: 20.00
Interval: 20.50
Second half: 21.10
Finish: 22.00
All timings are approximate and subject to change
This event is supported by Renishaw
Neil Charles
Neil Charles is one of the most in-demand musicians on the scene, with a huge array of credits to his name, including Jack DeJohnette, the Sun Ra Arkestra and Mingus Big Band. His own projects have included Zed U, with Shabaka Hutchings and Tom Skinner.
Most recently, he has been heard across the international scene with Gabriels. As well as being known as a bass player with a huge sound and immaculate sense of time, he is equally renowned as a producer, going by the alias Ben Marc.
Pat Thomas
Pat Thomas studied classical piano from aged 8 and started playing Jazz from the age of 16. He has since gone on to develop an utterly unique style – embracing improvisation, jazz and new music.
He has played with Derek Bailey in Company Week (1990/91) and in the trio AND (with Noble) – with Tony Oxley’s Quartet and Celebration Orchestra and in Duo with Lol Coxhill.
Mark Sanders
Mark has worked with a host of renowned musicians including Derek Bailey, Henry Grimes and Mathew Shipp, in duo and quartets with Wadada Leo Smith and trios with Charles Gayle with Sirone and William Parker.
In situations using composition Mark works in a number of projects including Christian Marclay’s Everyday for film and live music and John Butcher’s Tarab Cuts – both projects have performed major festivals.
He has a lengthy discography including a solo album, has performed internationally and played at major festivals including, Nickelsdorf, Ulrichsburg, Womad and notably at Glastonbury with legendary saxophonist John Tchicai.
Cleveland Watkiss
Internationally renowned vocalist Cleveland Watkiss won the London Jazz Award for Best Vocalist in 2010, and was voted Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards best vocalist for three consecutive years.
Watkiss was one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band. His vocals can be heard on their debut album, ‘Out of Many People‘. He has performed with a diverse range of artists from around the world, including: Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and The Who.
About Lantern Hall
Bristol’s home of dazzling new music
Seating plans
Seating plans
Lantern Hall is a performance space with a flat floor that can be used in a seated or standing format. To find out more detail about our seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas, view our seating plan page.
Venue information
Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Lantern Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Lantern Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are available within the first 10 rows on the flat floor of the Hall.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in rows AA-J on the flat floor are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
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Event Ticket Coverage
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