Celebrating great guitar music in all its forms.

THE fifth International Guitar Festival North East is to take place at three of the region's venues next month.

It will be a celebration of that most versatile of instruments, bringing top classical, jazz, blues and flamenco guitarists to Tyneside.

Running from October 14 to 17, the festival boasts 29 artists from six countries. It will feature 11concerts - at The Sage Gateshead, The Cluny in Newcastle and the Customs House, South Shields - and five workshops.

The IGF gala night in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead on October 17 will feature a pair of Martins - Taylor (jazz) and Simpson (folk), each a giant in his field.

Supporting them will be Clive Carroll, hailed as one of the country's best acoustic guitar players and composers.

On the festival's opening night in Hall Two, there is a chance to hear the guitar venturing into new territory. Classical guitarist Tom Kerstens will introduce his G Plus Ensemble which employs technology and special effects to create what is billed as "a scintillating new sound".

The ensemble also features the Tippett Quartet, guitarist Amanda Cook and percussionist Dan Gresson.

With jazz, folk, classical and flamenco catered for at The Sage Gateshead, the Customs House hosts an acoustic stage - to feature the likes of Alex De Grassi, Gordon Giltrap, Gareth Pearson and Johnny Dickinson - while The Cluny is to be the home of the blues, hosting the Matt Schofield Band on October 17.

Flamenco fans will not want to miss Gerardo N[+ or -]ez and the Carmen Corts Quintet - featuring a pair of vocalists and a percussionist - in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead on October 16.

Full details on the website www.igf.org.uk. Sage box office: [phone]; Customs House: [phone]; The Cluny: (0191)1 230-4474.

CAPTION(S):

THAT''S JAZZ Guitarist Martin Taylor features at The Sage.