Next Thursday offers the knottiest choices, with two special events, plus a long-standing jazz residency on the same evening.

First up, the pioneering Simon Thackray presents a Shed On Tour date with Liane Carroll at the Pickering Memorial Hall (01653 668494 and theshed.co.uk/gigs). Liane is hailed as one of our finest jazz vocalists and an incredibly exciting pianist.

Second is the return of Paul Baxter’s 6 Pieces of Silver at the Phoenix, George Street, York (01904 656401). Paul’s five-piece is augmented by vocalist Louise Gibbs in a programme of compelling music from the repertoire of Horace Silver’s classic Blue Note albums. Paul is studying for a Masters at Trinity College of Music, London, and Pieces pianist Zezo Olimpio is doing likewise at the University of York. Toss a coin for your Thursday choice. If the Phoenix is sold out, the Mardi Gras Band will be continuing their residency at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York (01904 540911).

Liane Carroll’s Shed tour ventures to the far corners of the county, to Tholthorpe Village Hall (March 2), Wigglesworth Village Hall (March 3) and Hunmanby Community Centre (March 4). Bravo Simon Thackray.

Tonight’s band at Wakefield Jazz is Arnie Somogyi’s Ambulance (01977 680542).

Jazz in the Spa has the Spirit of New Orleans tomorrow night at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa (01904 842544). The hall is unlicensed, so take your own tipple, glasses are provided.

Sunday Jazz begins with the Zezo Olimpio Trio at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, York, at 1pm (01904 620222) and continues at the Phoenix Inn with the Ian Chalk Quartet at 8.30pm. The celebrated Wednesday jam session at the Phoenix is pulling in the crowds, so an early arrival is recommended.

Newest York jazz joint, the Shoulder of Mutton, Heworth, is offering three bands alternating each Tuesday night, Bejazzled, the Martin Boyd Trio and the Kate Peters Band. Next Tuesday is Kate Peters night and once again an early arrival is recommended for this glamorous young vocalist, whose popularity is growing every day.

On Wednesday the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) will host the University of York Jazz Orchestra, with the Sounds of Hugh Masekela, legendary South African trumpeter, composer, singer and anti-apartheid activist (01904 658338). Special guest trumpeter will be internationally renowned Chris Batchelor.

Scarborough Jazz runs every Wednesday at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace (01723 500570), and next week’s guests will be Julie Edwards (vocals) and Kevin Dearden (guitar).

REVIEW

Robert Sudall, Candescence (EP)

Robert is a Leeds-based pianist and ex-organ student (Royal Northern College of Music). This EP aims to blend contemporary jazz with sounds of the Middle East and the opening track Gulhane (a park area of Istanbul) features the 12-string oud in unison melody with piano and is driven by a 10/8 rhythm evoking its Turkish inspiration. Nocturnal Resonance is a delicate, late-night trio ballad, with a solid, woody-sounding bass solo, which has a second outing on the title track. The oud returns for Adoration of a Dervish and its gentle melody befits its reflection on the poetry of Mevlana and the centre of Dervish adoration in Konya, Southern Turkey. View From Pierre Loti is a pastoral piano piece inspired by a quiet spot in Istanbul.

Given that the city is the inspiration for the music, with its colours, smells, traffic, the busy Bosphorus and the teaming masses pouring across the Galata Bridge, there is little to match the complexity of Turkish music apart from the two appearances by Glenn Sharp’s oud and the 10/8 rhythm of the opening track. However, Robert Sudall has a very accomplished trio and the gentle atmosphere would lend itself to descriptive film soundtrack music.