MIDDLETON’S Hotel, Skeldergate, York, sponsors two nights of jazz each week on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday regulars are the Mardi Gras Band and Bejazzled with Mike Riley, alternating each week. Tonight’s band will be the Mardi Gras, from 8.30pm to 11pm, but tomorrow night’s band was not confirmed at press time, call 01904 611570 for details.

Also tonight, the Karl Mullen Trio will be at Churchill’s Hotel, Bootham, from 7.00pm (01904 644456).

The big guns this weekend are with Mark Lockheart’s Ellington in Anticipation, taking many of Ellington’s most famous compositions, such as Satin Doll, Mood Indigo and Creole Love Call and deconstructing them, then arranging them into a fascinating set of new music.

To play the music Mark has assembled seven of the most exciting young musicians in the country, with Liam Noble (piano) and Seb Rochford on drums and big hair.

The concert begins at 7.30pm tomorrow (01904 658338).

If you consider dedicating your Sunday to jazz in York, begin with one of the most long-standing sessions in the city, with John Marley (bass) and Paul Smith (drums) and guests at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, at 1pm (01904 620222).

After an afternoon nap, you could then move to catch the tireless pianist Karl Mullen at the Rook and Gaskill at 8pm on Sunday with blues/soul vocalist Jen Low at 8.00pm (01904 652050).

In a challenging coincidence, your coin-tossing skills will be handy, because a mere two- minute walk away is the Phoenix, George Street, where the Leeds-based Svarc/Hawley/Longhawn organ trio also begins at 8pm. In fact, so close are the two pubs, you could spend the night happily strolling between the two.

The Phoenix hosts the celebrated jazz jam every Wednesday, fronted by trumpeter James Lancaster and pianist Chris Moore, plus sympathetic rhythm section. Details of all Phoenix jazz is at 01904 656401.

Outside of York there are two gigs to have you drawing lots to decide who drives. On Saturday night at Jazz in the Spa, star trumpeter Enrico Tomasso and trombonist Roy Williams will be with the Tom Kincaid Trio in a rare visit North (01937 844898).

Enrico is busy on the London scene in jazz clubs and concert halls, including tours with Brian Ferry’s jazz project and Roy has become a favourite at international jazz festivals. Enrico studied at the Leeds College of Music and Scarborough Jazz at the Cask welcomes two ex-tutors from the college on Wednesday 30 April, both multi-instrumentalists who are active on the big band scene.

Al Wood plays all the saxophones, plus trombone and trumpet and has played with Maynard Ferguson and Dionne Warwick amongst countless others. Trevor Vincent plays trumpet and valve trombone and spent many years professionally with the Ken Mackintosh and Ray McVay bands. Details from the Cask Inn, Cambridge Terrace (01723 500570).