AFTER 20 years of scribbling, it is time to hand over my small, but luxuriously appointed, cosy Jazz Notes den. Who better to take over than hot young bass player and compiler of the definitive listings website, jazzinyork.co.uk, John Marley?

Many will know John as a busy working musician, not least as bass man with the Kate Peters Quartet and Septet and the long-standing residency at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate. My final Notes will be on October 30, but John introduces himself with a review at the foot of this column. Make him welcome, folk.

Ace guitarist John Etheridge was due to play tonight at the Duchess, but according to the venue’s website the date has been postponed until May. Top-class vocalist Jenny Smith and the Andy Cholerton Trio will be at the Red Lion, Upper Poppleton, tonight (01904 781141). Musicians and vocalists are invited to sit in.

Wakefield Jazz has Indo-Jazz saxophonist Jesse Bannister’s “Play Out” featuring MOBO Award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman tomorrow night (01977 680542).

The Saturday night session at Jazz in the Spa will present the Carl Sinclair Boogie Band, with John Hallam on reeds (01937 844898). Your two Sunday gigs will be Mr Marley’s Kennedy’s session at 1pm (01904 620222) and Ian Chalk’s Firebird Quartet, the Phoenix at 8pm (01904 656401).

The Kate Peters Quartet will be at the Phoenix on Monday night and the weekly Jam session will be on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Christian Topman will mastermind a gypsy jam session at the Volunteer Arms, Watson Street (01904 541945).