By Peter Bevan

GATESHEAD'S annual International Jazz Festival has established itself as the biggest and most wide ranging jazz event in the region and this year’s is no exception.

Running from Friday through to Sunday, April 10-12, at Sage Gateshead, there is a packed weekend of concerts supplemented by workshops, seminars and talks.

Space precludes mention of the full programme, but the following selection gives an idea of the range.

The first evening’s live music will be bracketed by two free events in the Concourse starting at 6.30pm with the New York Brass Band (from York, that is) and ending with the two guitars of James Birkett and Bradley Johnson.

In between, there’s a difficult choice, first, a double bill in Hall One featuring Dave Sanborn’s new electric fusion band and the gentler duo of guitarist John Schofield and vocalist Jon Cleary.

At the same time, in Hall Two, there’ll be a performance by Clark Tracey’s Band with Bobby Wellins, Steve Melling and Andrew Cleyndert of the late Stan Tracey’s Under Milk Wood, marking the 50th anniversary of this British jazz classic.

Readings from the Dylan Thomas play will be given by Ben Tracey and there will be a pre-concert talk with Wellins and Clark Tracey which is free to ticket-holders.

On Saturday there is free music on the Concourse from 1.30-7pm, a workshop with saxophonist Iain Ballamy and performances including Tin Men and the Telephone Family Show, King Bee, the Necks, Beats and Pieces and many more.

The principal afternoon performance features pianist Gwilym Simcock both with his trio and with the Royal Northern Sinfonia conducted by Clark Rundell performing Move! from his last album.

In the evening, a double bill of singer Ruby Turner and the James Taylor Quartet should pack in the crowds in Hall One, though I’m more drawn to the Joshua Redman Trio in Hall Two.

One of the most inventive and exciting saxophonists in jazz today, he’ll be backed by his regular touring group featuring Reuben Rogers on bass and Greg Hutchinson drums.

In yet another clash that evening there will be another double bill in the Jazz Lounge featuring local singer Zoe Gilby in her acclaimed tribute to Carmen McRae and violinist, vocalist and song writer Alice Zawadzki and her group featuring material from her debut album China Lane.

On the Sunday, there is more free jazz throughout the day on the Concourse, but one of the highlights for me will be a full afternoon concert in Hall Two by The Cookers.

Taking its name and inspiration from the classic Blue Note album, The Night of the Cookers, this all-star American band features leader David Weiss and Eddie Henderson on trumpets, Billy Harper and Jaleel Shaw on saxophones and a rhythm section of George Cables, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart.

Band members will be talking to Kevin LeGendre on the previous afternoon about their music and the original inspiration with extracts from recordings of the 1960s and 1970s (free but ticketed).

Sunday evening again offers utterly contrasting groups with jazz and blues quintet Davina and the Vagabonds in Hall Two and a free/improvising double bill in the Jazz Lounge, presented as part of Jazz North East’s Women Making Music series and featuring Sloth Racket and the Musson-Kjaer-Marshall Trio.

The big draw, though, will surely be the double bill in Hall One which will open with the improvising duo of saxophonist Andy Sheppard and pianist Rita Marcotulli, who will be followed by the re-formed but still anarchic Loose Tubes.

This 21-piece band should include several members of the original band, among them Django Bates, Iain Ballamy, Ashley Slater and Chris Batchelor.

Full details of this 11th festival are available in the recently published brochure and at sagegateshead.com.

This year there’s a Jazz Multibuy scheme saving £2 per ticket if two concerts are booked, £3 for three and £4 for four, but only from the box office. All other bookings and details are available online at the address above.