Jazz fusion group Knats from Newcastle is led by lifelong best friends Stan Woodward (bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (drums). “Wor Jackie” comes ahead of Knats’ sophomore album, A Great Day In Newcastle. The forthcoming record features over 20 collaborators, ranging contributions from French horn, to flute, cello, violin, and more. black midi’s Geordie Greep produced the album in addition to contributing guitar parts on a few of the tracks. “Wor Jackie” is a strong indicator for the depth of instrumentation we can expect from the remaining tracks on the album. It’s modern jazz with an experimental edge, while still rhythmic and accessible.
A Great Day In Newcastle will delve into many stories of the English North East working class. The track “Wor Jackie” specifically dives into the experience of the North East pitman, using the famous Geordie football player, Jackie Milburn (or ‘Wor Jackie’), as an archetypal figure for the story to unfold. Cooper Robson expresses an impassioned poetry reading on the track, while blistering solos from Stan and George Johnson (Tenor Saxophone) flutter about.
‘Wor Jackie’ was written at a time when I was reading into the North East coal mining industry, after a conversation with me grandad talking about his time as a pitman. The community aspect amongst the pitman astounded me, given the dangerous nature of the job. The piece, I initially intended to be a moody sort of march, which then evolved with the addition of Cooper Robsons gorgeous poems. The title ‘Wor Jackie’ refers to Newcastle football player Jackie Milburn, who was believed to have done half days in the pit and half on the football pitch, and who I thought would be the perfect character to represent this story.”
“Wor Jackie” is released ahead of Knats’ upcoming album, A Great Day In Newcastle, out March 6th, 2026 via Gearbox Records. Preorder available here.
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