HULL has produced a number of fine jazz musicians over the years and there is a chance to hear two of them at the Pavilion Hotel on Fulford Road at 7pm this evening.

Vocalist Jenny Smith moved to Leeds, like so many others, to attend Leeds College of Music. Since then she has been a regular fixture on the local jazz scene. Always delivering a great set of swing and bossa nova, Jenny will joined by pianist Rob Law who runs the Tuesday night jam session at the Hull jazz venue, Pave.

Pianist Karl Mullen has put together an excellent quartet to perform at the Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton tonight. The band will be fronted by popular saxophonist and vocalist Jon Taylor on a rare visit to York. Music starts at 8.30pm.

The stronghold of swing, Boston Spa Jazz Club will be treated to a mixture of western swing, boogie-woogie and jump jive from the Swing Commanders at 8pm on Saturday. This five-piece ensemble is made up of singing multi-instrumentalists and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of entertainment for your £8 entry fee.

Sunday is always a busy day for jazz in the city and the first stop for many years has been Kennedy’s Bar on Little Stonegate. A variety of guests join the house rhythm section and this week it’s the turn of veteran guitarist Derrick Harris.

Later in the evening, the Firebird Quartet will be playing their fortnightly gig at The Phoenix Inn, George Street. This contemporary jazz quartet have just released two videos for the Muso Channel which you can find on the listings website jazzinyork.com The band play a mixture of swing and groove based compositions by current jazz heavyweights such as Terence Blanchard and Eric Harland.

The Phoenix Inn also hosts one of the most welcoming jazz sessions in the region which has been fronted for many years by trumpet player James Lancaster. If you want an opportunity to put your performing skills to the test, or just want to enjoy some great music then get to the pub at 8.30pm on Wednesday evening.


Review: Samuel Eagles, Next Beginning

THERE are a number of young jazz musicians spread across the country who not only perform, but compose incredible music. A common complaint from some jazz fans is that these young bands don’t play much swing.

That may be true from a traditional perspective, but the music still ‘swings’. This is the case on Next Beginning. Eagles has put together an excellent band to play compositions which incorporate swing and funk grooves but stay rooted in traditional jazz.

The rhythmic unit of Ferg Ireland on bass and Eric Ford on drums always keep the groove, but approach their task with a strong sense of freedom to weave in and out as they please. This creates an inspiring backing for the brilliant solo playing of Eagles on saxophone and Ralph Wyld on vibraphone. A mature sounding offering from a young band who we are sure to hear much more of in the future.

John Marley