JAZZ and punk couldn’t be further away from each other in musical terms. However, they do share some common ground. Generally the practitioners of both styles sit on the left side of the political fence and create music in a way that does not pander to the mainstream.

If punk has contributed one major element to the music industry, it is the idea that artists can self-record, self-publish and self-promote. Jazz is largely ignored by the major record labels and relies heavily on independent labels, often run by the musicians themselves.

One of these labels appeared in Leeds last year and has released some great material so far. New Jazz Records are releasing albums digitally and have just come up with the innovate idea of a live album where two new tracks are added every month. The first of these tracks are from the Alex Munk Quartet and are a testimony to the incredible talent in the UK. Fusing rock grooves, strong melodies and lush chordal passages, they will keep you wanting more. Hopefully a studio album will appear sometime this year.

On to this week’s live performances. We start at the Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton tonight at 8.30pm, where the Karl Mullen Trio will be joined by a new jazz vocalist in the York area. Rachel Croft has appeared with Karl as a duo over the past few weeks and I’m sure it will be worth the journey to hear her perform with the band.

The audience at Boston Spa Jazz club will be treated to two fabulous multi-reed players at 8pm on Saturday. Amy Roberts and Richard Exall will be drawing inspiration from the great woodwind instrumentalists. The concert has a £10 entry fee.

York jazz regulars will be used to seeing Tim Carter sat behind a drum kit with the Firebird Quartet and with vocalist Kate Peters. However, he is also a fine guitarist and will be joining myself on bass and Paul Smith on drums at Kennedy’s Bar, Little Stonegate at 1pm on Sunday.

From 8pm on Sunday, pianist Mike Conliffe brings a trio to The Phoenix Inn in George Street. Mike plays a style of piano which is deeply rooted in traditional swing but incorporates gospel. The Phoenix Inn will also be hosting its popular jam session from 8.30pm on Wednesday.

A jazz jam session will be held at the Rook & Gaskill in Lawrence Street on Sunday at 8pm to celebrate the nuptials of trumpeter James Lancaster. There are bound to be musicians in abundance, which should make for a great atmosphere.

Pianist and organist Bob Smeaton brings his band One Foot In The Groove to The Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, on Tuesday at 8.30pm playing classic soulful jazz.

Rounding off the week is Christian Topman’s gypsy jam session which for one time only will be held at The Fleeting Arms in Gillygate before returning to its regular home at The Victoria Vaults. The gig starts at 8.30pm on Wednesday.