Gregory Porter, John Surman and Courtney Pine for Gateshead Jazz Festival this weekend

Show-stopping vocalist Gregory Porter (who is also featured on the cover of the May issue of Jazzwise, out next week) heads up the opening night, undoubtedly previewing cuts from his forthcoming album, Take Me To The Alley, while the same evening will find Arun Ghosh, Evan Parker, Liane Carroll and WorldService Project decant their distinct and diffuse approaches to jazz. Among the highlights the following day are a pair of hook-ups, with John Surman joining forces with the Alexander Hawkins Quartet, while Courtney Pine pares it back to minimalist basics in the company of pianist Zoe Rahman. Charles Bradley’s soulful vocal tones will be among those voices heard on the festival’s closing night, which will also see trumpet-player Ibrahim Maalouf infuse the Sage with his arabesque intonations.

The festival programme is as follows:

Friday 15 April: Gregory Porter (Hall One, 7.30pm); Arun Ghosh (Hall Two, 7.45pm); Evan Parker (Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 8.30pm); Liane Carroll (Two, 10.15pm) and WorldService Project (Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 10.30pm).

Saturday 16 April: Jazz Line Up Stage (Concourse, 2pm); Phil Meadows and Royal Northern Sinfonia (One, 2pm); Europe Makes Music: John Law’s Congregation with support coming from the Michel Reis Band; John Surman and Alexander Hawkins Trio (Two, 4.30pm); Courtney Pine and Zoe Rahman, plus Terence Blanchard E-Collective and Kris Bowers (Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 10.45pm).

Sunday 17 April: Café Society Swing (Two, 2pm); Europe Makes Music 2: Airelle Besson and Nelson Veras with support from Malija (Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 2.30pm); Charles Bradley (One, 7.30pm); Ibrahim Maalouf (Two, 8pm) and the Simon Spillet Quartet play the music of Tubby Hayes (Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 7pm).

– Spencer Grady

For full details visit www.sagegateshead.com