FANS of vocal jazz are spoilt for choice this week. Local favourite Kate Peters will be making two appearances, starting at The Pavilion Hotel on Fulford Road (01904 622099) this evening where she will be joined by Mike Conliffe on piano.

At the Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton (01905 781141), the Andy Cholerton Trio will be accompanying another excellent singer, Cherie Gears.

If you’d prefer some instrumental jazz then Karl Mullen will be playing in the classic piano trio format at Churchill’s Hotel on Bootham (01904 644456) from 7pm.

On Saturday, Boston Spa jazz Club (01937 842636) sees a visit by Ron Burnett and his Mardi Gras Band. For Jazz Notes readers, Ron needs no introduction but for the unfamiliar, you can expect swinging jazz standards and big smiles all round. I have just finished reading Hull Jazz and Jazzmen which tells the story of jazz in the town across the decades. Mr Burnett is mentioned regularly and it’s a fascinating read.

Another name which comes up is John ‘Blind Lemon’ Holborn who ran the East Coast Jazz Men. His grandson, Matt Holborn, is a fine jazz violinist and will be joining the rhythm section at Kennedy’s Bar (01904 620222) this Sunday at 1pm. Later in the evening, the Central Scrutinizers will be performing a selection of post-bop standards at the busy jazz venue, The Phoenix Inn (01904 656401). This cosy pub will also see visits by the Kate Peters Quartet on Monday and the jazz jam on Wednesday, both at 8.30pm.

At the NCEM (01904 632220) on Sunday, vocalist and broadcaster Claire Martin will be performing songs by composers as diverse as Tom Waits, Thelonious Monk and The Beatles with the Montpellier Cello Quartet. On Wednesday, bassist Alec Dankworth brings an all-star band to put his jazz perspective on world rhythms.

Another renowned vocalist, Gwyneth Herbert, will be performing at York University on Tuesday evening to raise money for the charity ISC. Filling the void between jazz and the world of singer songwriters, Herbert holds the distinction of having the first Blue Note UK release for 30 years.

CD Review: Jim Rattigan, Triplicity French horn, violin and piano aren’t often heard in jazz. This album features 11 excellent compositions which follow in the footsteps of fellow British jazz composers, Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor.

Pianist Liam Noble has forged a formidable reputation and he has a great deal of responsibility on this record. Holding together the harmony and bass patterns, he creates a strong foundation for the weaving melodies of Rattigan on French horn and violinist Thomas Gould. Stand out tracks are the heart-warming waltz Sweet Tamarind and atmospheric ballad, Trail of Tears.

The unique instrumentation and slow building textures give the album a distinctive, wintry feel.