THE National Railway Museum, in York, will hold a day of jazz on Saturday, July 17.

To whet the appetite, the Mardi Gras Joymakers - an 11-strong parade band in the New Orleans style - will entertain museum visitors during the afternoon with their less hurried, gentler Southern style of Dixieland jazz.

In the evening's ticketed outdoor concert of music from the golden age of jazz, the seven-piece Alan Gresty/Brian White Ragtimers - arguably the most original Dixieland band in the UK - will play in the South Yard.

The Ragtimers will pay tribute not only to Dixieland greats Louis Armstrong, Bob Crosby and Muggsy Spanier but also to great composers of the age: George Gershwin, Fats Waller and Hoagy Carmichael. Their music will bring out the starker world of Chicago but still be infused with dance rhythms.

Entrance to the museum is free during the day, from 10am to 6pm, but evening tickets cost £12.50. These are available from the NRM, 10am to 5pm daily; by post until July 14, sent to the Programmes Manager, NRM, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ, enclosing a cheque payable to the National Railway Museum and an SAE; or by phone until July 15, on 08707 010207, for payment by credit/debit card only.

Audience members are invited to bring picnics, drinks and chairs or to buy a New Orleans-style barbecue on site, make use of the licensed bar and hire a chair for £1.

Updated: 16:07 Thursday, June 24, 2004