BURTON Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival has become an important part of the calendar in Yorkshire.

Featuring a diverse selection of local and national talent, the event takes place in the picturesque surroundings of Burton Agnes Hall and gardens.

This years event runs from July 3 to 5 and weekend camping is available in the grounds. Early-bird tickets are available at a discounted rate until June 1. However if you’d like to try your luck at winning a family ticket, visit the listings website jazzinyork.com to see how.

Fans of vocalist Kate Peters have several opportunities to hear her perform this week. Starting tonight at The Pavilion Hotel, Fulford Road she will be singing and playing piano, accompanied by myself on bass. Music is in the bar area from 7pm and non hotel residents are welcome.

On Sunday, Kate will be singing at Kennedy’s Bar, Little Stonegate between 1pm and 4pm, accompanied by the stunning guitar work of Sam Dunn. Then on Monday she leads a quartet at her popular Phoenix Inn residency. Music starts at 8.30pm.

If you’d like to hear some classic swing vocals this evening then The Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton is the place to be at 8.30pm. Mike Westerman joins the Andy Cholerton Trio to entertain drinkers and diners.

Leeds based saxophonist Brendan Duffy is not only a fine player but also a unique entertainer. Giving every performance 100 per cent energy, one could describe Mr Duffy as a cross between Sonny Rollins and John Cleese. He joins the Karl Mullen Trio at Nevermind, Stonebow House this evening at 8.30pm.

Due to an unfortunate programming clash, local jazz fans have a difficult choice to make on Saturday as two groups of world class musicians are playing in the city on the same evening.

At the National Centre For Early Music, The Cloudmakers Trio led by vibraphonist Jim Hart play original music which combines the hip sounds emanating from New York’s Greenwich Village and jazz from the European Tradition. Described as "clever, lyrical and immaculately performed" by The Guardian, it’ll be well worth the £13 entry.

At York Minster, also at 7.30pm on Saturday, The Chapter House Choir are joined by a trio of the jazz world’s most celebrated contemporary musicians – Martin France, John Turville and Alexander L’Estrange. The material for the concert centres around a composition by British composer Will Todd entitled Mass In Blue.

The Phoenix Inn, George Street sees two more performances in the next seven days. The Firebird Quartet play a mix of classic swing and contemporary funk on Sunday from 8pm and Wednesday is the ever popular jam session from 8.30pm. The gypsy jazz jam also happens on Wednesday evening across town at The Victoria Vaults.

A new gig is happening at Sotanos Bar, Little Stongate on Sunday evening. Guitarist Neil Corkery will be bringing some classic jazz to the venue at 9pm joined by a selection of familiar local faces.