CHRISTMAS party season is in full swing and what better way to enjoy it than with some live jazz? The Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton is becoming a popular venue on a Thursday evening with excellent guests joining the house rhythm sections.

Vocalist Ian Richard Shaw and local saxophone veteran Frank Brooker will be playing in front of the Andy Cholerton Trio this evening from 8.30pm.

Fans of traditional jazz in York are lucky to have Boston Spa Jazz Club operating in the area. The club has been bringing excellent bands from across Europe to Yorkshire since the 1980s.

Formerly at The Crown Hotel, the club’s present home is at Boston Spa Village Hall and sees a visit this week by Lancashire based Harlem Hot Stompers. Formed in 1969, the band play their favourite compositions by New Orleans legends such as King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.

Kennedy’s Bar on Little Stonegate is a great place to enjoy live jazz and excellent food on a Sunday from 1pm. Two of Huddersfield’s finest jazz musicians will be joining Paul Smith on drums this week. Singing guitarist Jez Platt specialises in soulful jazz inspired by guitar heroes George Benson and Wes Montgomery and he will be supported by Ben Crosland on bass guitar.

The Phoenix Inn, George Street has become one of the most consistent jazz venues in Yorkshire having hosted two gigs a week for several years. The Firebird Quartet play at the pub on the first and third Sunday of each month from 8pm. Fronted by trumpeter Ian Chalk, the band take influences from contemporary composers from across the pond such as Terence Blanchard and Eric Harland.

The Phoenix Inn also hosts a weekly jam session where guest players are invited to join the house band for a couple of tunes. The night always has a great atmosphere and all performers are welcome whether a beginner or virtuoso. The house band is led by James Lancaster on trumpet who has been a regular fixture on the York jazz scene for many years, as a performer and an educator.

In this time of frantic retail therapy, a mention should go to the independent record shops based in York. We’re often hearing about how the music industry is changing and nobody buys records and CDs any more. This may be the case but there will always be music lovers who like to hold their purchases in their hands as opposed to staring at them on a computer screen.

York has three independent record shops where the jazz fan is well catered for. The Inkwell and Rebound Records are on opposite sides of Gillygate and both have a great selection of jazz. Rebound has one of the largest jazz sections I’ve seen in any record shop. Earworm Records is based just off Goodramgate and specialises in vinyl. Whether it’s Dixieland or experimental fusion that you’re after, you’re almost certain to find it in one of these great shops.