EXPRESSLY for nine to 14 year olds, the Brazilian Carnival Day at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York, runs on Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Heralding the South American theme of the 2012 York Early Music Festival and celebrating with the University of York’s Festival of Ideas, composer/percussionist Claudio Kron from Brazil will transport us to Latin America through a series of workshops exploring Brazilian art and culture. Expect percussion music, samba dance and capoeira (mixing martial arts with dance), performed by Claudio and his band and the University of York St John Samba Band. Participants should download application forms from ncem.co.uk/carnival2012 If the NCEM is sold out, Sunday lunchtime jazz in York also comes from Rio de Janeiro in the form of pianist Zezo Olimpio and his trio. The venue is Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate (01904 620222).

The University of York Jazz Orchestra will play in the Rymer Auditorium on the Heslington campus tonight at 7.30pm (01904 322439).

Wakefield Jazz begins its Summer Festival tonight in a series of gigs featuring up-and-coming musicians, offering great jazz at reduced prices (01977 680542).

Tonight’s band is the Aubin Vanns Trio, with Martin Longhawn (piano) and Steve Hanley (drums). Aubin is one of the most talented guitarists to emerge from the Leeds College of Music and has featured with the Kate Peters Quartet at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, York.

Vocalist Kate Peters is another greatly talented graduate of the Leeds College who has worked in all areas of the music industry, including scoring for music theatre productions and as a session singer. On Monday, Kate will leave the gorgeous gowns in the wardrobe and bring her informal quartet to the Phoenix. The jazz jam continues on Wednesday night with Trevor King (drums), James Lancaster (trumpet and Chris Moore (piano).

The resident Sunday night band at the Phoenix, the Ian Chalk Quartet, has released a new CD album Stepping Out, available as a free download as MP3 from the band’s website ianchalkquartet.co.uk The CD is a mix of originals by band members and a surprising choice of covers by Elvis Costello, The Police and Joe Jackson, and Jazz FM has already played the quartet’s version of the Beatles Got To Get You Into My Life. As you download, please note the “donate” button, to help cover recording costs.

An extra at the Phoenix on Thursday will be The Firefly, dedicated to the gifted guitarist American Emily Remler. The two-guitar Deidre Cartwright/Kathy Dyson Remembering Emily tribute will be augmented by Al Morrison. News on all Phoenix jazz from 01904 656401 and phoenixinnyork@live.co.uk

The fleet-fingered guitar of Miles Gilderdale takes flight with the Blueflies on Saturday night at the Tap and Spile, Monkgate, York and on Sunday at the Duck and Drake in Leeds. The best fun you will have without taking your clothes off.

In 2010 aged just 20, Emma Smith was nominated for Jazz Vocalist of the Year and has played such venues as London’s Ronnie Scott club and the Vortex. On Wednesday 20 June Emma will be the guest at Scarborough Jazz at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace (01723 500570).

Live jazz at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York, has been running fior over 20 years, with the Mardi Gras Band alternating with Bejazzled and Mike Riley. Next Thursday will be Mardi Gras night (01904 540911).