WITH the closure of Darlington Arts Centre and reduced budgets in many other venues, there’s a different pattern beginning to emerge in the region’s jazz provision, writes Peter Bevan.

Many organisations are continuing the good fight even in these recessionary times, among them the Opus 4 Jazz Club whose monthly jazz sessions at the Traveller’s Rest, Cockerton, continue with alto player Mark Toomey who appears with his Quartet tonight (12th). Then the popular Darlington Big Band will probably fill the place again on November 9 with the perennial Dougie Pugh Quartet appearing on December 14; details on (01325) 382676.

The Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club has already presented its first performances at the Dolphin Centre and they’ll continue with Frank Brooker’s Happy Chappies on Saturday, November 3, and Gavin Lee’s New Orleans Band on Saturday, December 1, both at 12.30pm. Tickets are available from the Dolphin Centre on (01325) 388406.

It’s also a great pleasure to report that following the success of its first Jazz Festival at the Music Forum last April, a new Darlington Jazz Club has now been launched featuring local musicians early every Sunday evening (normally 5- 8pm). Mixing big bands and smaller combos, the next few weeks will see the Customs House Big Band on Sunday, Grace Ellen on the 21st, and Just Friends on the 28th.

Admission is £3, £1 for young musicians, or £4 (£2) for the big bands; details (01325) 363135. Jazz bands interested in playing should contact Alison McKay on 07720 592901.

Saltburn Jazz Club, meeting at the Community Hall there, brings a vocal double bill with Zoe Gilby and Claire Kelly on Friday, November 2, and Frank Brooker’s Happy Chappies on Friday, December 7 ; tickets and information on saltburnarts.co.uk or (01287) 624997.

There are some unfamiliar venues thanks to local rural arts touring schemes. Christine Tobin, accompanied by guitarist Phil Robson and bass player Dave Whitford, sings the songs of Leonard Cohen at Masham Town Hall on November 22 (01765- 680200) followed by Stillington Village Hall (23rd, 01347-811544) and Pickering Memorial Hall (24th, (01751) 473791); details at ruralarts.org.

Durham’s autumn touring programme includes the Philip Clouts Quartet with saxophonist Carlos LopezReal at Streatlam Village Hall on Friday – tickets are on (01833) 631045.

Also in County Durham, Georgie Fame (and sons) will be at Mickleton R’n’B Club on Saturday, November 10; tickets (01833) 640854.

Finally, The Sage in Gateshead has a commendably wide-ranging choice beginning with Djangologie, who open the North East Guitar Festival on Thursday.

On Thursday, October 25, the brilliant young American singer Cecile McLorin Salvant, who was a sensation at the Whitley Bay Festival a year or two ago, pays tribute to Billie Holiday in A Gardenia for Lady Day.

The Sage’s two November dates feature the MOBO Award winning Kairos 4tet, with solo cellist/vocalist Ayanna in support on Tuesday 6th, and legendary American drummer Jack DeJohnette, celebrating his 70th birthday this year, appears on Wednesday, 21st. His last appearance at The Sage was a solo performance, but this time he’s with his quintet which includes reeds player Don Byron, guitarist Marvin Sewell, pianist George Colligan and bass player Mike Mondesir, with Polar Bear in support.

In rather marked contrast, Tuesday, December 11 sees the return of The Three Bs – Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, the Big Chris Barber Band and Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band; tickets and details at 0191-443- 4661 or thesagegateshead.org.

As usual, if we’ve missed anyone out, we’d be pleased to hear from you and will try to remedy the situation in a future edition.