Festival Q&A:
Blind Monk Trio

Without hesitation Liverpool saxophonist Bob Whittaker tells Big Issue North who’s on his dream festival line-up, ahead of playing Burton Agnes Jazz Festival and more this summer with his Blind Monk Trio.

How would you describe your sound for the uninitiated?
Our sound is a mix of the classic 1950s jazz trios with alternative rock beats and eastern folk – we call it #easternbop.

Tell us what you’ve been up to since last summer?
Since last summer we’ve been playing loads up and down the country at some great jazz clubs and festivals. The biggest highlight was getting endorsed by the Original Montgomery duffle coat company – go figure!

What festivals are you playing this year?
Some great festivals lined up for us this year. Burton Agnes for one – not been before but we’ve been told it’s epic! Also really looking forward to the Gateshead International JazzFest – that’s a big one – and also the Mostly Jazz festival in Birmingham, another stonker with some big headliners.

Who else are you excited to see at the festivals?
At Burton Agnes, the Lindsay Hannon Plus are mint – well worth seeing. Excited about De La Soul at the Mostly festival and Gregory Porter at Gateshead.

If you could curate your own festival what would the line-up look like (artists dead or alive)?
Easy – John Coltrane, Roland Kirk, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Zeppelin, Sabbath and The Carpenters.