IT IS widely thought that jazz music's best period is firmly rooted in the past.

But some young North-East musicians are embracing jazz as the sound of the future.

Durham jazz group High Street Anywhere are creating a sound which they say joins the dots between jazz, funk and electronica.

Meanwhile the Cherie Gears Jazz Quartet, from Yarm, plays a variety of styles from jazz, soul and funk.

Both bands will be playing at The Northern Echo Revolution music gig at Darlington Arts Centre, on Friday, March 26.

The gig is a part of music website Revolution's Platform series, which aims to present different genres of music to audiences across the region.

Members of High Street Anywhere are students and include Andy Nesbitt on trumpet, Kim Roberts playing sax, Andy Fox on trombone, guitarist Dave Trevelayn, Mark Alty on keyboards, Pete Morris on bass, and drummerJames Pearson.

The band does not like to compare its music to other sounds.

But members say that jazz legend Herbie Hancock and Ruben Wilson have influenced their sound.

The Cherie Gears Quartet are four Eaglescliffe College students - Cherie Gears, vocals, Michael Wolfindale, piano, Joel Harding, guitar, and Tim Hillsdon, drums.

The quartet, who are all in their late teens, count as their influences Jamie Cullum, Herbie Hancock and Ella Fitzgerald.

Cherie's amazing voice along with the band's excellent musicianship stem from years of playing together in a school and also a college soul band.

The gig will take place at the Arts Centre Garden Bar, and is being sponsored by music centre The Forum and streetwear store Fourth Chamber.

Doors open at 7.15pm, with the gig starting at 8pm. Tickets are £3 at the door.

For more details, log on to www.this isrevolution.co.uk

Published: 31/01/2004