Jazz notes

Jim's world-class status on guitar was forged with the Morrissey Mullen Band and as a guest with the Average White Band during the 1980s and 90s. His warm, instantly recognisable sound is produced by using his thumb instead of a plectrum on the guitar strings. Trumpeter Henry Lowther has featured with Gil Evans, George Russell and Mike Gibbs and the Quartet is completed by Dave Green (bass) and Stu Butterfield (drums). Details from 01924 782339.

Not to be outdone, Howdenshire Live Arts brings David Newton and Special Guests to the Shire Hall, Market Place, Howden, tomorrow night. The special guests are Matt Miles, Steve Brown and that great alumnus of the Ted Heath Band, trombonist Don Lusher. If previous events at the Shire Hall are anything to go by, this could be a sell-out, so call now 01430 431535 (before 5pm) or 01430 431488 (after 5pm).

I will not be surprised if Don makes a detour into Huddersfield to give the hand-made trombones of Michael Rath a quick blast. Local slide-merchant Andy Hillier and I made the pilgrimage to the former Socialist Republic of West Yorkshire last week to have our instruments overhauled and the spectacle of seeing a trombone constructed from sheet metal before your eyes is truly fascinating. I am sure that even a non-trombonist would enjoy the experience - the Rath bone works should be in every tourist's handbook.

The Smoky City Jazz Band will bring their Chicago-style Dixieland to Jazz at the Crown, Boston Spa, tomorrow night. Details from01937 842544.

Martin Jones is one of the many talented musicians to come out of Hull and he journeys over to Scarborough Jazz at Scholars bar on Tuesday. Martin plays across the range of jazz, from Dixieland to the avant garde, but at Scarborough you can expect a programme of entertaining standards on trumpet and flugelhorn plus the odd vocal. Details from 01723 379818.

The new trad jazz sessions at the Wenlock pub in Wheldrake village continue on Tuesday with the Yorkshire Stompers, featuring Frank Brooker.

March is the month of high-profile jazz in York, beginning with an unfortunate clash of two events on Thursday. The Big Chris Barber Band is coming to the York Theatre Royal and David Porter's J Night presentation of the Kenny Drew Jr Trio is at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate. Chris Barber will need little introduction since he has a legion of fans and this is his band's 50th anniversary tour. Book now on 01904 623568.

The Kenny Drew Jr tour is the first for the great American pianist as a trio in Britain. He is known for his work with David Sanchez, Joshua Redman and the Mingus Big Band and many more. Two further J Night events in York are Alan Barnes with York's own Kid Boyd Band (Thursday, March 20) at Temple Hall, St John's College and Spin Marvel, led by drummer Martin France, at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, on Sunday March 30. For all three events, call 01904 658338 and for general information on the J Night International Concert Series call Creative Arts Promotion on 01759 303454.

Surprised to see an ad for a jazz CD on peaktime TV? Well, not so surprising it was for an Ella Fitzgerald double album, Ella Gold, which includes most of her best performances from her classic mid-1950s, early 1960s period. I have just played all 39 sumptuous tracks, including Every Time We Say Goodbye, Manhattan, Mack The Knife (live), Let's Do It, These Foolish Things and three duets from the Ella and Louis Armstrong albums. This is Ella Gold indeed and chances are it will more than justify the advertising budget. Most jazz fans will already have most of the tracks, but it is a perfect introduction if you are aiming to convert a friend.

Updated: 09:24 Friday, February 28, 2003