Jazz Sabbath at The Glasshouse | Gateshead Preview

Jazz Sabbath bring their piano-led reworking of Black Sabbath to The Glasshouse in Gateshead on Friday 25 September 2026, turning some of heavy metal’s most recognisable songs into a very different kind of live set. Led by Adam Wakeman, the trio strips the material back to jazz arrangements that leave plenty of room for improvisation while keeping the original melodies close enough to remain familiar.

The project has built an intentionally absurd mythology around the idea that the jazz versions came first, but the joke only works because the arrangements stand up on their own. Familiar riffs are reshaped through piano, bass and drums, giving the songs a looser structure without turning them into novelty covers.

Jazz Sabbath at The Glasshouse

Sage Two should suit the concept particularly well because it gives the trio a room where the detail of the arrangements can land clearly. The performance can move between recognisable motifs and extended improvisation without losing the audience, which is important for a show built around transformation rather than straightforward reproduction.

For Black Sabbath fans, the appeal lies in hearing well-known songs from a completely different angle, while jazz listeners get a set that treats the source material seriously enough to create something musically convincing. That crossover makes this one of the more unusual dates in The Glasshouse’s new season.

Event details

• Date: Friday 25 September 2026
• Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead

Current ticket information is available through The Glasshouse’s official jazz listings. Check the venue page before travelling for final timings and any changes.

You can find more Gateshead gig previews on SoundBite North East as the autumn programme develops.