THIS time last year when I previewed the local jazz scene, writes Peter Bevan, everything seemed more promising, with concerts and gigs in a variety of towns and venues from Durham's new and promising Gala Theatre to the village hall in Gainford.

Some of these were obviously one-off ventures, but it seems disappointing that the Gala has promoted so little jazz and, of course, we still await the re-opening of the Arc in Stockton. I hope that when these two attractive venues in particular are operating fully, they will include some jazz events for which there is a good audience if marketed properly.

Most of what's available locally in the next three months is at Darlington Arts Centre in three distinctive series.

The New Orleans Jazz Club has already kicked off with one of its special concerts last week by Keith Nichols and the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. It will continue with regular Saturday lunchtime concerts (first Saturday each month, 12.30 to about 3pm) on February 1, when the River Band from Tyneside makes a first appearance there and, another first appearance, the Harmony Hounds on March 1, followed by New Orleans Heat on April 5.

After a short break, the Garden Bar Jazz Club will resume its activities on Saturday, February 22 (not the 15th as previously announced) with Djangology, which naturally features the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephanne Grappelli played by Emma Fisk, violin, Paul Donnelly and Dave Harris guitars and Mick Shoulder bass. This will be followed on Friday, March 14, by the Dave Skinner Trio with special guest Frank Brooker on tenor saxophone. Tickets for these two concerts are £5, or £9 if booking for both at the same time. Djangology is also at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on February 13 as part of the four-day beer festival; details on 01388 602610.

The Jazz Nights series in Darlington resumes next Friday when the American tenor saxophonist and clarinet player, Ken Peplowski, makes a long-awaited return visit. He is on an extended British tour, but this is one of a few where he will be recreating his partnerships with pianist John Horler and guitarist Phil Lee in a series of duets of mainly Ellingtonia. He'll also be appearing the following night at the Crown Hotel in Boston Spa with the Brian Layton trio.

On Friday, February 7, pianist Michael Garrick makes a return visit to the arts centre, this time with his new quartet featuring alto player Martin Hathaway as well as Paul Moylan bass and Alan Jackson drums. It's one of several concerts celebrating Garrick's 70th birthday year and also the late Joe Harriott with whom he was associated in the Sixties.

Then, on April 25, the ever-popular Alan Barnes will return with his latest and grandest project. Since boyhood, he's been fascinated with the tales of Sherlock Holmes, and that has inspired him to write a suite based on the characters and incidents in the stories. It was premiered to great success at last year's Appleby Festival and a double CD should be available soon, featuring the specially assembled eight-piece band which includes David Newton, Clark Tracey, Bruce Adams and Andy Panayi.

Tickets for the arts centre events are available on 01325 486555, and there's still a special offer on the Jazz Nights' series with 25pc off if you buy for four or more concerts