2+2= Infinity. Bridge Hotel, Newcastle.

Andy Champion (double bass), Graeme Wilson (baritone & tenor saxophone), Paul Hession (drums), Mike Hurley (keyboards). Jazz North East's second season of gigs presenting the best of free jazz and improvisation concluded with a meeting of two duos; Tyneside's own Andy Champion and honourary Geordie Graeme Wilson (hailing from north of the border) and free jazz percussion wizard Paul Hession (no stranger to Newcastle) and midlands based keyboards player Mike Hurley. The ''local boys'', Champion and Wilson, got things under way, displaying no little confidence with their illustrious counterparts listening intently at the bar. Wilson possesses a cast iron technique on baritone and, most impressively, searches for a figure, a rhythm, a texture at a slow tempo which, in less capable hands, could expose a paucity of ideas and invention. Champion, the first - call bassist on the north east jazz scene, enjoys a musical rapport with Wilson which has, no doubt, come about from their countless gigs together in other ensembles across the region. The bassist used the bow and mallets in response to Wilson's probings and offered the added dimension of loop pedal effects (used sparingly on this gig). West Coast cool is the image Wilson projects, yet, in full flow, he can produce an incendiary performance (more of which later). The second set featured Hession and Hurley. Hession is in the top division of UK free jazz drummers (Mark Sanders, Steve Noble, Tony Marsh et al). Hession guarantees a performance; from himself and those sharing the stand. Mike Hurley is a new name to most on Tyneside. A duo of drums and keyboards begged the question - would it work ? Hurley revealed a debt to Debussy allied to a Keith Tippett - like attack with a bottom end hammering recalling Cecil Taylor. In full flow the duo captured the thrilling essence of the music; sometimes fleeting, shifting, lost in the ether. The set took an unexpected turn - Hurley had exhausted the keyboard; battered into submission it was retired for the evening. Hurley's work done it was down to Hession to deliver a drum masterclass to conclude the set. The third set, scheduled to be a quartet, was played as a trio. Hession's encouraging, urgent performance offered the (unexpected) opportunity to Champion and Wilson to stretch - out and deliver a blistering set. This was free jazz at its best. The third season of Jazz North East's ''On the Outside'' gigs is almost upon us. The Side Cafe on Friday 3rd July sees Tom - Mix riding into town. See you there (stetson optional). Russell