THE renowned York drummer Dave Cook is a keen long-distance cyclist, jumping on a plane and biking across Mallorca as readily as he packs his drums to play for gigs around the county.

Dave's latest two-wheel adventure will be to cycle over 1,000 miles from York to Barcelona to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. Dave's brother, Ken, died last November, five months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/Dave-Cook2Barcelona/ Last week John Marley wrote enthusiastically of the Paul Baxter band eyesshuttight`s new CD, Resonance (Hungry Bear Records) and his enthusiasm is echoed in a four-star review in November's Jazzwise magazine, plus a half-page feature of the band with photos. Eyeshuttight will embark on a national tour in November, taking in Seven Artspace, Leeds (November 9) and the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York (November 22).

Tonight's funky jazz with Bob Smeaton's organ band, One Foot In The Groove, will be at the Red Lion, Poppleton, at 8.30pm, featuring vocalist Marlaina Kelli (01904 781141).

Also tonight, but less easy to pigeon-hole, Karl Mullen/Neil Scott's Encouraging the Loony plays everything from Boogie, to Bartok, to Bird at the Victoria Vaults (01904 654307).

Tomorrow night Wakefield Jazz presents the Simon Read Octet, a host of young stars including trumpeter Laura Jurd (01977 680542). On Saturday night Jazz in the Spa gives a warm welcome to visitors from the North East, no- nonsense, driving traditional jazz with the Maine Street Jazzmen (01937 844898).

Bass player John Marley continues to co-host Sunday lunchtime jazz with drummer Paul Smith plus guests, at Kennedy's Café Bar, Little Stonegate (01904 620222). The Vanburgh College Jazz Night returns to the University of York at 8.30pm on Monday (01904 433200).

The biggie of the week will be Grammy award winning jazz singer Gregory Porter at the York Barbican on Tuesday 28 October (0844 854 2757 – expect a booking fee). Your alternative destination will be the Victoria Vaults on Tuesday for the second coming of Bob Smeaton's One Foot In The Groove. The Wednesday jam session at the Phoenix, George Street, will be led by James Lancaster and Chris Moore from 8.30pm (01904 656401).

As previously announced, John Marley will be taking over Jazz Notes in November and below is another taster from him, reviewing a new CD.
 

REVIEW

Jesse Bannister, Play Out

Jazz and Indian classical music have much in common, including emphasis on improvisation and rhythmic and melodic complexity. However, examples of the two styles coming together are few.

Saxophonist Jesse Bannister explores this combination but takes the journey on a different route from previous exponents of Indian-Jazz such as Joe Harriott and John McLaughlin.

The formidable rhythm section of Kenny Higgins (Corrine Bailey Rae) on bass and Seb Rochford (Polar Bear) on drums lay down a variety of grooves. Opener Kennergy has a Cuban feel, while Screaming moves from a traditional Indian sound to funk-reggae.

The compositions centre on a few chords but these are flawlessly delivered. In Indian classical music, it’s the soloist’s ability to develop ideas that should keep us interested and Bannister and pianist Zoe Rahman certainly do just that.

Bannister’s choice of scales and his improvisations give the music its Indian flavour, while Rahman approaches her solos with more of a traditional jazz approach. She also contributes subtle blues lines, and has a great sense of when to play and when to lay back, which allows the music to breathe.

The band will be at Seven Arts Centre in Leeds on November 6 and York native Eddie Hick will be behind the drums for the live dates.