WHAT’S ON: A busy weekend with Scott Hamilton & Alan Barnes at Darlington Arts Centre tomorrow evening and the Happy Chappies there on Saturday lunchtime, 01325-486555, and Stacey Kent at The Gala, Durham on Sunday, 0191-332-4041.

CD REVIEWS: Chris Barber’s Jazz Band/Sonny, Terry and Chris (Lake LACD278) Another delightful and welcome issue in Lake’s continuing documentation of Chris Barber’s early recordings. This sandwiches the groundbreaking 1958 session with bluesmen Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee between a batch of band recordings made at the same time, many of them previously unreleased. You can hear Brownie’s influence on Chris’ singing to this day and it’s great to hear the original again.

Michael Janisch/Purpose Built (Whirlwind Recordings WR4613) I was sorry to miss Michael Janish’s recent appearance in Newcastle and even more so after hearing this brilliant new CD. It’s a wonderful showcase for his talents as bass player (both acoustic and electric), composer and band leader. Recorded in Brooklyn with a range of American and British musicians in various combinations it seems to bring out the best in everyone, not least the Brits including guitarist Phil Robson, vibes player Jim Hart and saxophonist Paul Booth.