DARLINGTON Jazz Festival returns for its seventh year this week with a range of concerts by visiting musicians and local talent at venues across the town.

The event runs from Wednesday May 2 to Sunday May 6 and includes a workshop for musicians of all abilities led by jazz educator in residence, Matt Roberts.

The Darlington-born trumpeter and composer has played sell-out gigs with his BigISH Band at London Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s. During a Friday night session at the Voodoo Cafe in Skinnergate, Roberts will lead his own sextet playing the music of Kenny Dorham. A similar show last year was a sell-out.

Big band classics will fill the interior space at Darlington and Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club in Longfield Road performed by Darlington Big Band, while an outdoor festival atmosphere will be created over the weekend by young musicians and local talented ensembles at the Joseph Pease statue in the town centre.

On Saturday afternoon, Jazz at The Quaker House will feature North-East jazz combos including Emma Fisk and James Birkett and The Pocket Jazz Orchestra.

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's meeting at St Augustine’s Parish Hall coincides with the festival and will bring Jeff Barnhart and John Hallam, a favourite with local audiences.

The Saturday headline event is an evening of swinging big band music from the 1950s to the present in the Central Hall at the Dolphin Centre, featuring Alan Barnes supported by Durham Alumni Big Band led by band legend Al Wood.

A prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist, Wood is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers.

The Alumni band is composed of past members of Durham County Youth Big Band, former winners of the Great North Big Band Festival. The evening will be supported by the award winning Durham County Youth Big Band. There will be a late-night jam session in the Dolphin Centre bistro featuring festival performers.

Sunday offers gentle jazz over brunch at the Hash Bar from 10.15am, and Bondgate Methodist Church is the venue for afternoon music from the Vocal Collective and the Paul Edis Trio featuring Alan Barnes playing newly commissioned work by Edis.

The finale takes place at The Keys in Skinnergate when Darlington Jazz Club presents Dennis Rollin’s Funky Funk Band supported by the Alumni All Stars.

Shaune Eland, organiser, said: "The enjoyment of the festival has grown year on year for performers and audiences and we hope this year will be no different."