THE Thursday jazz session, late of 20 years at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, continues tonight with Bejazzled at the Red Lion, Poppleton.

Led by Don Lodge's Gypsy jazz guitar and Tim New (saxophones and flute), they have bagged the expert services of Dave Scarth (bass) and Leeds College graduate Harry Orme (guitar) to expand the band for a tasty programme of jazz standards.

It is good to see so many familiar faces finding their way to appreciate the music out on the A59 at the new jazz venue (01904 781141). Make it happen, folks!

Wakefield Jazz has reopened for Autumn and tomorrow night you can hear master guitarist Phil Robson's Organ Trio at 8.30pm (01977 680542) featuring Ross Stanley (Hammond Organ) and demon American drummer Gene Calderazzo. On Saturday, Jazz in the Spa will present the first female musician to join the Big Chris Barber Band (01937 844898).

On leave from Barber, Amy Roberts will be joined by co-leader Richard Excell in a quintet. Both are multi-instrumentalists on clarinets, saxophones and flute on a wide range of classic and traditional jazz, with vocals.

The tireless John Marley compiles the invaluable listings website jazzinyork.com and is king-pin bass player for several bands in the region. John and drummer Paul Smith host the long-standing session at Kennedy's Café Bar, Little Stonegate, on Sunday at 1pm (01904 620222) and he is also in trumpeter Ian Chalk's Firebird Quartet, which will be at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, on Sunday night at 8pm.

Marvel at his stamina and throw money at him. Or buy him a drink. The Phoenix is also the home of the region's celebrated jam session every Wednesday, when all ages and abilities can try their skills with an audience. All Phoenix jazz, plus the big charity jazz jam with John, Kate Peters and more on Monday can be found at 01904 656401.

Scarborough Jazz also runs every Wednesday at the Cask Inn, Cambridge Terrace, and next week's guest will be long-term Scarborough favourite, saxophonist Stuart MacDonald (01723 500570). There is still time to get tickets for the outstanding Scarborough Jazz Festival 2014 (September 26 to 28, scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk).
 

REVIEW

Blue-Eyed Hawk, Under The Moon (Edition Records) **

THIS album ranges from twee folky to heavy rock and free jazz. Somewhere is Over The Rainbow with variations, Led Zeppelin riffs and some drums/bass/trumpet joint improvisation mayhem before rising jazz star Laura Jurd's trumpet plays the actual tune gently to close.

O Do Not Love Too Long kicks off as stirring Bulgarian wedding band, before a quietly considered voice/trumpet section with words inspired by W B Yeats. Reflections On The Spiral has guitarist Alex Roth finding atmospheric, Bill Frisell settings before switching to Billy Jenkins wackiness.

The band aims to create “eclectic music that traverses art-rock, jazz, minimalist and electronic soundworlds” but this talented and schooled group of musicians more resembles a clutch of sixth-formers raiding their parents' record collection.

Vocalist Lauren Kinsella is little-girl Blossom Dearie, then strident Bjork (Living In The Fast Lane), while Pink Floyd's on-location Granchester Meadows birdsong crops up on Aurora 5am, then more Floyd-style alternating pastoral quiet with heavy riffs on Spiderton. Intro (For Fathers) borrows Ivor Cutler's harmonium drone and punk-inspired Fast Lane has Jurd's great trumpet sound distorted through a Donald Duck effects pedal.

A puzzling venture from the one of the leading UK jazz labels, or am I getting too old for this?