If you are planning an autumn holiday on the East Coast, the dates for the Scarborough Jazz Festival are September 23-25. Now in its third year, the festival features an exciting mixture of old favourites and new names and you can discover more from the Box Office 01723 376774 and from www.scarboroughjazzfestival.net

Jazz fans are always prepared to travel to hear worthwhile music and I have been hearing great things about The Sands Venue in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, which seems to present big names in jazz at least twice a week.

On Monday May 30 The Sands will be presenting a massive JazzAid charity show featuring an impressive line-up of major jazz stars. Tickets are a hefty £100 per person, including a three-course meal and a long list of performers - Courtney Pine, Tina May, Kenny Ball and the entire Dankworth family, to name just a few. All proceeds will go to two cancer charities and you can learn more from 01427 811118 or www.the-sands.co.uk

Nearer home, Jazz in the Spa presents New Orleans Heat tomorrow night (2nd) at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa. Details from 01937 842544.

Also tomorrow, Howden Live at the Shire Hall presents The Hot Band. Not jazz, but lively music which includes a dash of Tex-Mex. Details from 01430 431535.

The Sunday night jam session continues at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, and Nina and Karl play Fine and Mellow on Monday night at the Rook And Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York.

On Tuesday (5th), Scarborough Jazz at Scholars Bar will feature General Cluster, a distinctive sounding six-piece band with musicians drawn from York, Scarborough and Hull.

The line-up has a trumpet, saxophones and vibraphone front line, backed by piano, bass and drums and the repertoire is immaculate West Coast jazz with several originals in the mix. Details from 01723 379818.

Also on Tuesdays, York's newest jazz joint is the Phoenix, George Street, just inside the City Walls. Although Jools Slater's advertising flyer for Jazzerhead makes it look like a Meatloaf tribute, I am assured that it really is jazz and blues. There will be an open mic session each week from 10-10.30pm, more details from 0776 950 4794.

The Jamie Aebersold series of play-along recordings has helped many budding musicians to polish their skills at home before venturing out to play high on the open mike. Several local musicians have shelled out hard-earned readies and spoken highly of the Jazzwise Summer Schools with Jamie Aebersold. This year's School will be held near London, at the Parkshot Centre, Richmond from 31 July to 5 August. You will find full details on 0845 345 7027 and www.jazzwise.com/shop.

Updated: 16:00 Thursday, March 31, 2005