THE new jazz scene in the region shows again that much of the hard work is due to local enthusiasts and musicians though this season there seems to be a small increase at some professional venues and festivals, writes Peter Bevan.

One of the most active musicians is pianist and bandleader Paul Edis, who organises regular jazz performances in at least three venues. Closest to home for him is St Cuthbert’s Centre, in Crook, where an occasional series of events has been extended.

Next Friday (April 25) the Vasilis X Quintet will present The Wind Machine Project, which attempts to capture the spirit of the big bands with just a quintet. Led by Vasilis Xenopoulos on tenor saxophone, I believe the band will include Martin Shaw on trumpet backed by some of the North East’s finest musicians.

On June 6, the Paul Edis Sextet returns and on July 4 the Customs House Big Band will perform compositions and arrangements by Edis.

On August 1, Graham Hardy’s Northern Monkey Brass band (formerly known as Horn Dogs) will appear, followed on September 5 by the Virtuoso Jazz Trio, which consists of James Birkett guitar, George Macdonald clarinet and Tony Abel double bass.

Friday concerts start at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm; tickets from Anne Timothy on 01388-768880.

Lunchtime concerts at Newcastle’s Lit & Phil in Westgate Street have resumed and continue on Friday, May 9 with a new trio, Triptych (Paul Edis, Rob Walker and Paul Susans) creating fresh interpretations of old standards alongside new compositions.

They’re followed by The Slowlight Quartet, described as contemporary but accessible, on June 13, and trumpeter Noel Dennis’s Trio on July 11.

Recitals run from 1pm to 2pm, admission £4 at the door. Details at litandphil.org.uk.

The last of Paul Edis’s series is the extremely popular Friday lunchtime concerts at the Studio in Durham’s Gala Theatre with the last ones selling out completely.

There’s a welcome return by Steve Andrews’ Swing City Trio on May 23 followed by the Sue Ferris Quartet on Friday, June 20.

As part of this year’s Brass: Durham International Festival, there’ll be two lunchtime shows, with the Paul Edis Sextet on Wednesday, July 16, and Northern Monkey Brass Band on Friday, July 18.

It is very encouraging to see that the Gala’s main theatre programme includes jazz concerts, beginning with the Big Chris Barber Band on Saturday, May 3, celebrating his 65th year as a band leader.

On Wednesday, June 4, there’s a welcome return for Evan Christopher’s Django a la Creole featuring one of the finest clarinettists in jazz today.

As part of the Brass Festival, legendary US trumpeter Jon Faddis appears on Tuesday, July 15, and the BBC Big Band led by Barry Forgie on Friday, July 18.

Details can be seen at galadurham.co.uk, box office 0300-266600.

The main focus for Darlington Jazz Club is the forthcoming Jazz Festival taking place at various venues in the town from April 25 to 27, covered in this column last week. The Sunday series resumes after that, possibly on a fortnightly basis. Details will be available at theforumonline.co.uk or call 01325-363135.

The Opus 4 Jazz Club at the Travellers Rest in Cockerton continues with the Sue Ferris Quartet on May 9, the Martin Kemp Quintet on June 13, Customs House Big Band on July 11 and the Andy Bennett Quartet on August 15.

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club’s lunchtime concerts at St Augustine’s Parish Centre continue with pianist Jeff Barnhart on May 3 with his wife Ann on flute, John Hallam reeds and drummer Nick Ward.