BBC Music Live 2001 will bring five days of music-making to York from May 24 to 28.

Jools Holland and Courtney Pine, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brian Kay are some of the big names who will be taking part.

The event will be shared between York, Leeds and Bradford.

At the launch yesterday at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford, BBC Music Live director Bill Morris said York's contribution to last year's event had been a key factor in deciding the location for 2001.

"One of the things that struck us most is that York is a promenading city for music."

Among the highlights will be American country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter's concert at York Barbican Centre on May 24. The opening date of her tour, it will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on May 30 at 7pm.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra are already booked into the Barbican for Christmas shows on December 18 and 19. Holland, plus guest singer Sam Brown, will also now play at the National Railway Museum on May 24 for broadcast on Radio 2 on May 28 at 8.30pm.

Delma Tomlin, director of the National Centre for Early Music, said: "This festival is wonderful news for York, which will give the National Centre a national profile, put us on the map and give this region a musical shot in the arm."

Events are as follows:

National Railway Museum:

May 25, 5pm to 7.30pm: In Tune, with Sean Rafferty. May 27, 9am to 12.15pm: Brian Kay hosting the Sunday Morning programme.

National Centre for Early Music:

May 27, 1pm to 2pm: The BBC Singers, conducted by Bo Holten. May 26, 3pm: Radio 3's Hear And Now. The New Music Players, from University of York, plus pianist Rolf Hind. Broadcast at 10.45pm. May 28, 9.45am to 10am: Daily Service led by Canon Paul Ferguson, featuring The Ebor Singers.

City centre:

May 26, 1pm: Radio 3's World Routes in a special edition dedicated to gamelan music.

Grand Opera House:

May 24, 7.30pm: Radio 4's News Quiz. Broadcast on May 25 at 6.30pm and May 26 at 12.30pm.

York Theatre Royal:

May 27: BBC World Service will broadcast Courtney Pine's 8pm concert to 40 million listeners.

Radio Five Live will also provide coverage throughout the festival.

Other events in York will include performances by local musicians, singers and dancers in restaurants, pubs, hotels and shops; a Street Music Festival with French troupe Compagnie Transe-Express on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28; and The Big Sing, a venture for eight to 15-year-olds managed by the City of York Council's Performing Arts Service. For ticket information, ring 08700 100125; for festival information visit the website www.bbc.co.uk/musiclive

Updated: 12:11 Tuesday, March 27, 2001