WHAT’S ON

Saturday lunchtime, Jeff Barnhart and John Hallam, Darlington Arts Centre, 01325-486555. Saturday evening, Julian Arguelles Trio and John Abercrombie, Sage, Gateshead, 0191-443-4661.

CD REVIEWS

Best of Dexter Gordon (Blue Note 5099969538520)

A generous selection on three CDs of the lion’s share of the music from the tenor player’s classic Sixties’ Blue Note albums such as Doin’ Alright, Dexter Calling, Go and Our Man in Paris. There’s tremendous support from pianists Kenny Drew, Sonny Clark and Bud Powell, as well as Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Bobby Hutcherson and drummers Billy Higgins and Philly Joe Jones. Presentation is a bit sloppy with a photo of Roland Kirk instead of Dexter and confusing and not entirely accurate details but the music is consistently good and with nearly 3½ hours of playing a definite bargain.

Julian Arguelles/Momenta (Basho Records SRCD 29-2)

The tenor and soprano saxophonist has been working regularly with big bands, including the versatile Frankfurt Radio Bigband with whom he recorded this enjoyable live set. Arguelles arranged and composed all the songs and is the main soloist with pianist Gwilym Simcock. Available from May 25 on jazzcds.co.uk.