HEADLINE acts at this year’s extended Darlington Jazz Festival are trombonist Mark Nightingale and the Al Wood 9.

The event, in its third year, provides a platform for local and regional talent but also attracts performers prominent on the national jazz scene.

It will run over four days, starting on Thursday, April 24, with performances by more than 20 bands at the Forum Music Centre and Head of Steam: Darlington Railway Museum plus a fringe event at Voodoo Café in Skinnergate.

Nightingale plays regularly in bands led by Andy Panayi, Alan Barnes, Laurence Cottle and Stan Tracey. He has recorded and played with artists from all genres including Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Sting, Scott Hamilton, Cleo Laine, Charlie Watts, Frank Sinatra, Kenny Wheeler, James Morrison and Steely Dan.

The Al Wood 9 is made up of some of the region’s best jazz musicians recreating big band sounds specially arranged by Wood plus new arrangements of standards.

For tickets, ring 01325-363135. Workshop tickets and full details are available at darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com or by calling 07538-772368.