BIG high-five to Kieran and Kate White for the triumphant Jazz For Japan charity gig last Tuesday at the Post Office Club, Marygate. Kieran not only organised five bands, plus the Kaminari Taiko Drummers, to offer their services to the World Vision Japan Appeal, he wore out several pairs of shoes trekking around central York businesses for donations to the charity auction.

In no particular order, Kieran would like to thank no fewer than 50-plus donors (deep breath): Drake’s Fish and Chips, Clarksons, Ghost Walk (James), Haunted House (Stonegate), Hole In The Wall, The Gillygate, Café No 8, Wackers, Kaos, street caricaturists Neil Slater and Justin, York Fine Arts, Tarts and Titbits, L K Bennett and Mediterranean Barbers. Further donations of vouchers came from 44 The Sambles, Goji Veggie Restaurant, Strada, Starspangled, Café Rouge, The Last Drop Inn, The Scream, Matt Linley, Tullivers, The Old White Swan, Staples, The Beeswing and Bulmer’s Corner.

CDs were donated by David Ward Maclean and Mark Blackburn. The Briar House Healing Clinic donated four separate massage and Alexander sessions, while Kate White offered saxophone/clarinet lessons and the three pianists in the room, Kieran, Karl and Ali, each offered a half-hour lesson. Trombonist Andy Hillier snapped up this essential 90 minutes of keyboard joy.

EsteeArt donated an original oil/gold leaf painting and a rare 19th Century Japanese woodcut came from the Japanese Print Shop, Petergate.

Jools Slater donated four authenticated photos autographed by Gerry Mulligan, Benny Carter, Peter King and Yusef Lateef and many who could not attend on the night sent cash – Mike Irons, Lorenza and David.

Pianist Karl Mullen deserves a special mention for dishing up two massive curries, with the assistance of manager of the Bengal Brasserie, Iqbal, who allowed Karl and his team to use the Brasserie’s kitchen and helped them to buy vast quantities of chicken and vegetables. An apology if anyone has been missed.

The euphoria of royal wedding weekend is enhanced or distracted tomorrow night at Jazz in the Spa with USA pianist Jeff Barnhart, John Hallam (reeds) and Jamie Brownfield (trumpet) for Hot Night in Harlem (01937 842636).

The celebrations continue on Sunday in York with Zezo Olimpio’s Trio at Kennedy’s Café Bar (Little Stonegate 01904 620222 ) at 1pm and on Sunday night at the Phoenix, George Street, with the Ian Chalk Quartet (01904 656401).

• Review: John Martin Quartet

Jazz depends on instant improvisation on a given theme, so why should we need recordings to repeat the experience? One answer is that exhilarating though the live experience may be, so many densely packed ideas come out they need many listens to savour.

At a time when internet downloads appear to be the death knell of CDs in the shops, we are thankful for the energies of the musicians who continue to make them. On Wednesday, Scarborough Jazz will present the John Martin Quartet, playing music from their new CD. Dawning (F-IRE Records) is the debut album from the quartet, eight original and rewarding compositions by Martin. With sounds akin to the ECM record label, it is not surprising since the album was made at the Artesuono studio in Italy, an ECM favourite.

Martin’s tenor saxophone has the Jan Garbarek European sound, crossed with the warmth of Americans Stan Getz and Wayne Shorter, while his soprano saxophone follows Brit John Surman’s vocalised mode. Moving On has the up-beat feel of Clifford Brown’s Joy Spring cross-pollinated with Weather Report’s Birdland. Swagger is an 11/4 up-tempo blues with a distinct Sonny Rollins influence, while All Good Things is a ruminative piece inspired by Kenny Wheeler’s music.

With folksy Europeanism crossed with Latin jazz/funk and Blue Note post-bop, the album is refreshingly melodic with exciting rhythms. The group follows the contemporary European democracy ethic, with bass and drums as equal melodic partners, rather than merely drivers of rhythm. “A lovely album,” said Kenny Wheeler. No argument with that.