THE National Centre for early Music, Walmgate, York, is the place to be for tonight's Big One, Stan Tracey with Peter King at 7.30pm.

Wakefield Jazz will welcome Partisans tonight (6th), led by the partnership of Phil Robson (guitar) and Julian Siegel (saxophone). The music is energetic post-bop, driven by the whirlwind drums of US-born but UK-based Gene Calderazzo. The band is touring to promote their new album, Max (Babel Records), a tribute to legendary drummer Max Roach. Details of Wakefield Jazz on 01977 680542.

Tomorrow night (7th), Jazz in the Spa strays from its usual Trad diet to present Lynn Acton's Bossa Loco, with some wonderful Antonio Carlos Jobim music. Lynn has teamed up with Latin guitarist Rich Arthurs and has had the original lyrics by Brazilian poet Vinicius de Moraes and other Jobim collaborators newly translated.

Jazz in the Spa is at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa, 01937 842544.

Jazz jam sessions continue on Sunday and Wednesday night at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green. I hear from trumpeter James Lancaster that the pub will be repeating last year's Sunday Jazz Marquee bash later this month, more details soon.

Nina and Karl will be playing Fine and Mellow at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York, on Monday night (9th) and Jools Slater's Jazzerhead continues at the Phoenix, George Street on Tuesday night.

Scarborough Jazz will be jumping to the sounds of The Organ Trio on Tuesday (10th). Led by one of Britain's best-loved guitarists Jim Mullen, with Mike Gorman on Hammond organ and Matt Skelton on drums, the trio has a new album Gig Bag (Diving Duck Records). Their wide-ranging repertoire includes tunes by Jerome Kern, Dave Brubeck and Nino Rota, as well as a good portion of originals by the band. The surprise success is Puccini's Nessun Dorma, given a soulful ballad treatment. Details from 01723 379818.

The Organ Trio then moves to Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn on Wednesday, details from 01482 346239. Also on Wednesday night, Pickering Jazz Club will be holding its monthly trad session at the Beansheaf (01347 878642).

Fifteen years ago, York drummer Trevor King and I encountered a wild-haired, goatee-bearded alto saxophonist from Toronto, Richard Underhill. In York with his partner, who was on a short course at the university, Richard dived into the local music scene with gusto and we greatly enjoyed his energetic playing over the few months he was here. A demon networker, Richard wasted little time during his British visit and sorted out a string of gigs across Britain and Europe for his band The Shuffle Demons, including a memorable concert at Leeds Jazz.

Now, a blast from the past, I am happy to renew acquaintance with Richard via two new CDs, Shuffle Demons - Greatest Hits and Richard Underhill - Tales From The Blue Lounge (Stubby Records, Canada).

Impossible though it is to describe the high energy fun of The Shuffle Demons, the publicity comes close - "Sun Ra meets Jack Kerouac and Charles Mingus on the way to Run DMC's house.." I would add a fair injection of vaudeville to the proceedings, as on Get Outta The House, Roach and the beer-hall anthem It'll Only Take 12 Beer My Dear, And I'll Be Yours Till Morning. But The Demons can really play, combining hard bop jazz with funky James Brown-style riffs and choruses. Fabulous.

For Blue Lounge CD, Underhill drafted in 14 musicians in various combinations. At times the harmonic density of the larger ensembles recall Ellington. For details, go to www.shuffledemons.com

Updated: 16:09 Thursday, May 05, 2005