WHAT’S ON

Saturday, Neil Cowley Trio, Sage, Gateshead, 0191-443-4661; Sunday, Clare Teal; Monday Paul Edis Sextet, both at Gala, Durham, 03000-266600.

CD REVIEWS

The Ed Palermo Big Band/ Oh No! Not Jazz!! (Cuneiform Rune 380/381)

Oh yes it is! The title is a giveaway that Ed Palermo is a Frank Zappa fan and the first disc here is his fourth album of Zappa charts given a lively big band treatment. CD2 is all Palermo and it’s one of the most exciting, irreverent and entertaining big bands I’ve heard for years. cuneiformrecords.com

Chick Corea/Trilogy (Concord Jazz CJA3568502)

This attractive three-CD set maintains the pianist’s consistent high standards. Both completely at ease with, and inspired by, bass player Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade (and occasional guests) this wonderful selection was recorded live on tour. Original compositions (Spain, for example), ballads (The Song is You), jazz classics (Blue Monk) all receive lengthy and positively inspired performances. concordmusicgroup.com.

Dexter Gordon/Leader & Sideman (Avid AMSC1138)

Still remembered for his Oscar-nominated performance in Round Midnight the tenor saxophonist established his reputation in the 1950s with albums such as these. He’s in fine form on Daddy Plays the Horn (with Kenny Drew), The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon (Dolo Coker), Stan Levey’s This Time the Drums on Me and the classic Dexter Blows Hot and Cool (with pianist Carl Perkins). avidgroup.co.uk