THERE IS clearly a growing demand for lunchtime jazz with the regular series in Darlington and Durham now being joined by Bishop Auckland where the town hall is following up a couple of promising performances with three more, writes Peter Bevan.

Running from 1-2pm, this Friday series features singer Ruth Lambert’s Trio on February 24, Mick Shoulder’s Swing Manouche on March 24 and pianist Dean Stockdale’s Trio on April 28.

Full details are at www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk or telephone 03000 269524.

Durham’s Gala Theatre lunchtime series in the upstairs studio is also on Fridays (luckily, no clashes) starting with Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord this lunchtime, including Emma on violin and James Birkett on guitar.

They continue with the Alan Barnes/Paul Edis duo on February 10, pianist James Harrison’s Trio on March 10 and singer/bass player Nicola Farnon’s Quartet on April 14. These regularly sell out so advance booking is recommended.

The theatre’s evening programme on March 10 includes a show called Swing, Strings and Sir Tom, with world renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen ditching his operatic persona to delve into the world of Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra, accompanied by the award winning Durham University Big Band and the strings of the University Orchestra Society.

Fuller details at www.galadurham.co.uk or 03000 266600.

The longest running series of lunchtime concerts (and the longest concerts too, with usually two full sets) is presented by Darlington’s New Orleans Jazz Club which has been operating since 1996.

Now well established at St Augustine’s Parish Church Hall in Larchfield Street, Darlington, it resumes the Saturday series (12.30pm start) with the Savannah Jazz Band on February 4 followed by the lively four-piece Café Society Jazz Band on March 4 and a return visit by the Brownfield Byrne Hot Six on April 1.

The future programme is booked almost to the end of the year and includes Spats Langham’s Hot Fingers, Sammy Rimington, Keith Stephens and Jeff Barnhart & John Hallam.

Details at www.darlingtonjazz.co.uk or 07860 368022.

Information on Darlington Jazz Club’s Sunday teatime series has not yet been provided it has confirmed there will be another Darlington Jazz Festival running from April 27-30. Details will presumably be available on the Facebook page in due course and at www.darlingtonforculture/whats-on.

Darlington’s Opus 4 Jazz Club continues Friday night sessions at the Travellers Rest in West Auckland Road, Cockerton, with Graeme Wilson’s Quintet on January 20.

Then, following his lunchtime gig with Paul Edis at the Gala (see above), award winning saxophonist Alan Barnes will appear with the Paul Edis Trio in his first appearance in Darlington for about five years.

On March 17, Mick Shoulder’s Swing Manouche appears there, followed by the Mark Toomey Quartet on April 7 and perennial favourite Sue Ferris’s Quintet on May 12.

The new website, www.jazzindarlington.com, has details or call 01325 382676. Doors open at 8pm for an 8.30pm start.

Elsewhere it’s worth mentioning that the New Century Ragtime Orchestra makes its annual appearance at Caedmon Hall in Gateshead on Friday, February 3 (www.gateshead.gov.uk) and Gateshead International Jazz Festival takes place from March 31 to April 2; details at www.sagegateshead.com or 01914 434661.