WHAT'S ON

Tomorrow evening Andy Sheppard is featured with Voice of the North Big Band at Darlington Arts Centre, and at lunchtime on Saturday it's the River City Jazzmen, both 01325-486555. Saturday evening Tim Garland's Northern Underground Orchestra is at the Arc, Stockton, 01642-525199.

CD REVIEWS

Tim Garland/The Mystery (audio-b ABCD5020)
As a programme of orchestral music written by Tim Garland and performed by the Northern , this could just as easily be reviewed as a classical CD, although Tim's saxophone solos, contributions by Chick Corea and reworkings of Thelonious Monk tunes also push it towards jazz. I'm not usually enamoured of such mixes but this seems to me to succeed at all levels and is one of the most convincing and successful of jazz and classical fusions I've ever heard.

Gwilym Simcock/Perception (Basho Records SRCD24-2)
A long-awaited first recording by this young musician, who's already won several awards. It showcases his piano playing, composing and bandleading skills in trios and with several guests. It's a delight throughout, nicely varied, immediately accessible and with crystal clear playing and recording.