THE shock news of the end of jazz at Middleton`s Hotel, Skeldergate, reaches a closing chapter tonight with the final session by the Mardi Gras Band at 8.30pm.

Previously the band shared a 20-year residency at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, with Bejazzled, and both bands were taken up enthusiastically by the Skeldergate hotel and settled happily into the new venue.

Followers of the two bands were equally happy to follow the music to the relaxed comfort of the Central Lounge at Middletons.

However, after an enjoyable year for bands and followers the decision has been made to end the weekly Thursday jazz tonight.

The hotel may book music from time to time in the future- watch this space!

The six-piece Jazz at Jeromes has abbreviated the name to the solitary Jeromes, but continues to play an enjoyably eclectic mix of blues, funk, soul and swing. Catch them at 1pm on Saturday at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane.

Sunday promises three sessions in York, beginning at 1pm with instrumental jazz at Kennedy`s Café Bar with John Marley (bass), Paul Smith (drums) and guests.

Jen Low and Karl Mullen return to the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, at 8pm with classic blues, jazz and soul, while a stone`s throw away at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, Ian Chalk`s Firebird Quartet also strikes up with sophisticated and accessible post-bop at 8pm.

As a member of the Firebird, this will be John Marley`s second gig of the day and he returns to the Phoenix on Monday with the Kate Peters Quartet at 8.30pm.

The intimate George Street pub re-assumes its role as the leading York jazz venue with its third gig in four days, the acclaimed jazz jam on Wednesday.

All ages are welcome to the safe hands of James Lancaster (trumpet), Chris Moore (piano), Trevor King (drums) and either George Beastall or Christian Topman (bass). Check on all Phoenix jazz at 01904 656401.

There is a stubborn affection for traditional jazz in Europe, at its strongest in Germany and Holland, but with a small, loyal following in the UK surviving after its 1950s/60s heyday.

For the wider audience, Trad is a jolly, nostalgic musical entertainment played in pubs, based on the pop hits of Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and George Melly.

The Mardi Gras Band features some trad-based tunes by Bix Beiderbecke and Louis Armstrong in its repertoire, but also moves on to Ellington, Basie and Charlie Parker.

The stronghold of Traditional jazz in North Yorkshire is Jazz in the Spa, offering choice trad every Saturday night for the last thirty years.

The style of the Savannah Jazz Band excites controversy, with many regarding it as authentic jazz, while others despair of its basic revivalist ethos. Judge for yourself on Saturday when the band appears at Boston Spa.

Scarborough Jazz operated every Wednesday at the Cask Inn, Cambridge Terrace, and next week`s guests are Jenny Smith (vocals) and Jim Corry (saxophones). Expect hard swing, Latin beats and stylish ballads from the great American songbook.