Stan Tracey and Gilles Peterson play Gateshead Jazz Festival

Acts booked for the event include Maceo Parker, Gilles Peterson, Andy Sheppard and Stan Tracey. Last year's event attracted some 5,000 concertgoers and this year's festival aims to entice even bigger crowds to the three-day affair which takes place in the various auditoria and spaces of The Sage. In addition to the main performances there will be a Jazz Lounge in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall featuring local bands plus a newly commissioned event for families, Tom Bancroft's Kidsamonium aimed at six-to-13 year olds, with contributions by a range of artists appearing elsewhere in the festival. There will also be a Dutch strand at the fest including appearances by drummer Han Bennink and cellist Ernst Reijseger. The full line-up is:
Friday 17 March
Airto Moreira; The Heritage Orchestra; Robert Glasper Trio; Stan Tracey Quartet with Bobby Wellins; Harry Beckett All-Star Quintet and DJ set from Gilles Peterson
Saturday 18 March
Kidsamonium, with Tom Bancroft and friends; Misha Mengelberg; Han Bennink; Ernst Reijseger with Mola Sylla and Serigne Gueye; Guus Janssen and David Kweksilber; Dee Dee Bridgewater and band; John Etheridge and Messin' Around with JazzCotech Dancers plus New Cool Collective
Sunday 19 March
Kidsamonium, with Tom Bancroft; Sheron Wray and Byron Wallen – dance and music; Maceo Parker plus Breakestra and Ketil Bjornstad
For more info go to www.thesagegateshead.org