WHAT’S ON: Next Thursday Mujician and Aki Takase, Gateshead Old Town Hall, 0191-433- 8420.

CD REVIEWS: The Dave Liebman Big Band/Live As Always (Mama Records MAA1039) Soprano saxophonist Liebman is riding the crest of the wave at present with several memorable recordings and a string of prestigious awards. This varied and exciting big band session adds to his reputation with colourful and imaginative arrangements by M D Gunnar Mossblad and others of several Liebman compositions.

Recorded in Denver and Toledo by some of New York’s finest this is highly recommended.

daveliebman.com Jerry Bergonzi/Three Point Shot (Intuition INTCHR71302) A nice contrast here with the pared down sound of Bergonzi’s tenor, Piotr Lemanczyk’s double bass and Jacek Kochan’s drums. The three have worked together regularly and there’s a good balance in the group with an easy ebb and flow.

TP & Company/Steppe Forward (Corner Mushroom CMM1) The TP is vibes player, pianist and percussionist Ted Piltzecher, a veteran of the George Shearing Quintet who leads a quintet of younger players on an enjoyable if short set of his own compositions, plus Horace Silver’s Nica’s Dream. Available on cdbaby.com