WHAT'S ON: Tonight the Graham Fitkin-Tim Garland Ensemble is at the Gala, Durham 0191-332-4041, and the 3rd Gateshead Jazz Festival takes place at the Sage from Friday through Sunday featuring Phil Woods, EST, Branford Marsalis, an Ian Carr tribute, Jack DeJohnette and many more 0191-443-4661.

CD REVIEW: Three contrasting guitarists this week. On Jack DeJohnette with Bill Frisell/The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers (Golden Beam GBP-CD-116) guitar and drums might seem a little limited but with Frisell adding banjo and DeJohnette on drums, percussion, piano and vocal, plus some clever electronic twiddling, together with some creative post production work by Ben Surman, you have an astonishing kaleidoscope of sounds.

Meanwhile Structures by John Abercrombie and Eddie Gomez (Chesky SACD317) with drummer Gene Jackson is a gentle three way conversation. Nicely recorded and rather subtle, despite Gomez's intrusive vocal accompaniment.

In complete contrast, Mike Stern's Who Let The Cats Out? (Heads Up HUCD3115) is more like a series of generally lively jam sessions with Mike at his very best with sterling support from Bob Franceschni on saxes, Jim Beard piano and organ and guest trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

Peter Bevan