JAZZ singer Sandi Russell, who owes her life to the skill of kidney specialists in the region, is giving a gala performance to thank them.
Ms Russell is originally from Harlem, New York, but lives in Durham City.
After more than eight years on dialysis, she received a new kidney from a living donor in an operation at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, in 2008.
She has organised the May 20 concert at Northern Stage, in Newcastle, to thank doctors and nurses for their work.
She will appear with drummer Steve Brown, bassist Alec Dankworth, Newcastle saxophonist Tim Garland and Cleo Laine’s pianist, John Horler.
Her vocal style has been compared with jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae.
She has made two CDs and has played in many countries.
Proceeds from the event will go to The Northern Counties Fund for Kidney Research, which supports the work of kidney researchers in the North.
Tickets are £17.50, on 0191-230-5151 and at northernstage.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here