AFTER my previous comments about the dearth of jazz outside Darlington and Gateshead, it is a pleasure to see a much wider spread this season, writes Peter Bevan.

Particularly pleasing is the promising resumption of jazz at Stockton Arc with some of jazz’s bigger names. It starts with what may be the first visit to the region by the Kyle Eastwood Band on June 1, followed by a return visit by Stacey Kent on June 16, and Courtney Pine’s homage to Sidney Bechet, Transition in Tradition, on July 9; details on www.arconline.co.uk or 01642 525199.

It is also pleasing to see North Yorkshire’s Rural Arts Touring Scheme, ON Tour, featuring jazz again. There are two remaining dates by the duo of alto saxophonist Martin Speake and guitarist Colin Oxley, at Potto Village Hall tonight (01642-700609), and Thirkleby Church tomorrow (01845-501394). Tickets can also be booked online at www.ruralarts.org.

Saltburn Community Centre presents its latest jazz night this evening with the Vieux Carre Jazzmen, with another to be confirmed on July 9; tickets at the door or from Saltburn Health Foods on 01287-624622, programme on saltburnarts.net.

Jazz North-East seems to be presenting more concerts than ever. The Gateshead Jazz Piano Series on Thursdays at the Old Town Hall continues with the Zoe Rahman Trio on April 29, a double bill of Andrew MacCormack with saxophonist Jason Yarde and Robert Mitchell with Cuban violinist Omar Puente on May 20, and the Michael Garrick Trio on June 3. There’s also an appearance by the Emile Parisien Quartet, voted best new act at the 2009 French Jazz Awards, at the Old Town Hall on Thursday, May 6; tickets on 0191-433-6965.

Paul Towndrow’s Newology is at the Corner House, Newcastle, on June 17, the Graham Hardy Quartet on April 17 at the Bridge Hotel, Castle Garth, Newcastle, and the renowned free jazz altoist Sonny Simmons appears with his quartet at the Bridge on May 9.

A particularly special event is a Chris Yates Memorial Concert on the afternoon of July 25, featuring special guests Alan Barnes, Steve Waterman and Tim Garland, with several local musicians yet to be announced.

Details of all these, and more, plus ticket arrangements are available at www.jazznortheast.

co.uk or contact publicity officer Dave Clarke on Dave@jazznortheast.co.uk.

Opus 4 Jazz Club continues on Friday nights at the Traveller’s Rest, Cockerton, with the Bill Goyder Sextet next Friday, Djangology on May 14, Teesdale Jazz Quintet June 11, Sue Ferris Quintet July 9 and Mick Donnelly’s Quintet on July 30. Pay at the door; details on 01325-382676.

The New Orleans Jazz Club continues with its Saturday lunchtime series at Darlington Arts Centre in Vane Terrace, with the Maine Street Jazzmen on May 1. The modern Jazz Nights feature a rare solo appearance by guitarist John Etheridge on Friday, April 30, and American saxophonist Steve Grossman appears with the Damon Brown Quartet on Friday, May 8.

For details log on to darling tonarts.gov.co.uk or tel 01325- 486555.

In Durham, the Gala Theatre presents a return visit by singer Claire Teal on Saturday, June 8; 0191-332-4041 or galadurham.co.uk.

After the busy Jazz Festival, there’s only a slight lull in the jazz programme at The Sage Gateshead before a short season focusing on Polish jazz. It starts on June 22, with a double bill featuring violinist Nigel Kennedy’s Quintet and singer Anna Maria Jopek, Jan Kopinski’s Mirrors on June 5, and a return visit by the renowned Marcin Wasilewski Trio on June 9.

Then, on June 26, Wynton Marsalis and his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra make a return visit, followed by Courtney Pine with his Sidney Bechet tribute; 0191-443-4661 or thesagegateshead.org.uk.

Finally, Swaledale Festival presents Roger Myerscough and Friends at the CB Inn, Arkengarthdale, on Sunday, May 30, and saxophonist Iain Ballamy with accordionist Stian Carstensen at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, on Wednesday, June 9.

Booking opens on April 19 at swaledale-festival.org.uk or ring 01748-880019.

If we’ve missed anyone out, do please get in touch and we’ll try to remedy the situation in a future edition.