Jazz notes (From York Press)

Jazz notes

12:22pm Friday 5th February 2010 in

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THE gig of the week will be on Monday, when Yorkjazz gathers six of York’s resident bands in a benefit night for the Haiti Appeal.

Bejazzled, the Ben Beattie Sextet, Ian Chalk Quartet, the Yorkjazz Wednesday Band, Encouraging the Loony (sorry, take it up with them) and my own Mardi Gras Band are all pencilled in and there will be a raffle to help swell the fund. Star trombonist Andy Hillier will host the evening, the venue will be the Post Office Club, Marygate. Tickets are £7 and the first band will be on at 7.15pm.

Wakefield Jazz is feeling the financial pinch and has circulated a “which way forward” questionnaire. Should they raise ticket prices or lower them, reduce concessions or shorten the season? Watch this space. Better still, go to tonight’s session with the twin tenors of Simon Spillett and Art Themen. Spillett’s energy and virtuosity has been compared to Tubby Hayes and the late Ronnie Scott’s pianist John Critchinson is a link back to the memorable Jazz Couriers. Art Themen has long associations with Ronnie’s club, as does Alec Dankworth (bass) and Spike Wells (drums), all of whom will make this a killer evening (01977 680542).

The Shed presentation of Helen Watson/Snake Davis at Hovingham Village Hall tomorrow night is probably sold out, but try your luck on 01653 668494.

The York scene continues to thrive. The rebirth of the aptly-titled Phoenix Inn, George Street, is a bonus, with real ales and jazz every Sunday night with the Ian Chalk Quartet and alternate Thursdays with Frank Brooker’s Quintet. One of our favourite saxophonist/clarinettists, Frank’s band has Bob Smeaton (piano) and Greg Wadman (trumpet) on board on Thursday February (01904 656401).

Tomorrow night’s Jazz In The Spa will be trad with Mart Rogers Manchester Jazz, always a favourite at Boston Spa (01937 842544). The American saxophonist Scott Hamilton has been rescheduled for August 14.

A rival choice will be Howden Live, bringing traditional jazz to the Shire Hall, Market Place, tomorrow night with The New Orleans Zhulus, from Brussels. The venue has cabaret-style table seating and space for shaking a leg (01430 431535).

The Coach House Hotel, Marygate, York, now has a jazz carvery on Sundays with Aly Lawrence. Food is served from 1pm to 9pm, music from 5pm to 8pm (01904 652780).

The good ole boys at Yorkjazz, the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, are slotting in a few extra gigs between their usual fortnightly sessions and on Wednesday they present If Destroyed Still True (IDST). This unusually named six-piece is led by drummer Tommy Evans and features Nick Tyson (guitar) and piano, bass, saxophone and trumpet. More details from Paul Baxter (0778 853 6152).

Jazz with food is a winning combination at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, and on Thursday February it will be Bejazzled night (01904 540911).

On the same night, Karl Mullen’s Jazz Band will accompany the dinner menu at the Churchill Hotel, Bootham, but you can also drop in for a drink (01904 644456).

The popular Andy Hillier Jazz Trio will add romantic spice to a couple of Valentine dinners at the Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place, on February 13 and 14 (01904 625082).

• Special diary date: Saxophone star Julian Siegel with the Hitmen at Kennedy’s Cafe Bar, Little Stonegate, Monday, February 15, at 8pm. The Hitmen are London-based guitarist Alex Munk (Yamaha Scholarship winner) and Leeds College of Music graduates John Marley (bass) and Eddie Hick (drums), as featured on the cover-mounted CD of December’s Jazzwise magazine.