PETER King is one of the world's greatest star soloists, whether appearing with the stellar big bands of Ray Charles, John Dankworth or Colin Towns, or fronting smaller groups.

When Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts decided to put together a small group in tribute to Charlie Parker, his unwavering first choice was the high-energy alto saxophone of Peter King.

King's diary is crowded and he works as much abroad as he does in the UK, which is why his rare appearance in our region next week will be a must-see.

The Peter King Quartet steams into Scarborough Jazz at Scholars (01723 379818) on Tuesday and then to Hulljazz at the Goodfellow-ship (01482 492868) on Wednesday. The quartet will be Steve Melling (piano), Jeremy Brown (double bass) and Steve Keogh (drums).

There is big news of this year's jazz festivals in Hull and Scarborough to be found at their respective websites. The Hull Jazz Festival runs from August 1-8, go to www.hulljazzfestival.co.uk for details. The Scarborough Jazz Festival runs from September 17-19, go to www.scarboroughjazzfestival.com to learn more.

Jazz at Boston Spa brings us down to earth with tomorrow night's presentation of the intriguingly-titled Tenderloin Ragtime Orchestra. A new name to me, this will be a first appearance of the local band, playing music of the 1920s and 30s. Details of Jazz at the Spa at their venue of the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa on 01937 842544.

York band the Modest Jazz Quartet has played itself into a regular groove at the Three-Legged Mare on High Petergate on the last Sunday in the month. Keyboard player Paul Kind reports the manager James Butler muttering "This band said they did requests, but they are still here." Paul describes the band as playing "from blues to bossa, from be-bop to bar billiards". It takes all sorts.

The Leeds College of Music re-opens its concert season on Thursday with the College's Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra at 7.30pm; find out more on 0113 222 3434.

Singer Salif Keita is known as the Golden Voice of Africa and is one of the most influential artists in world music. His new CD Salif Keita, Remixes From Moffou (Universal Music Jazz France), will spread the message further.

Though not jazz as many of us know it, nevertheless it embraces jazz influences in the blurred territory between world music and dance beats. Moffou is the name of the club the singer has opened in Bamako to promote the music of West Africa and 11 tracks have been remixed by mainly French and Italian mix technicians.

Salif's uniquely soulful voice is now set against fascinating re-workings. Some of the tracks take the same themes and give them to different mixers, but the results are radically different. Madan is mixed by Gekko (track 1) and Tom Paris (track 4); Moussoulou is mixed by Ark (track 2), Osunlade (track 5) and Charles Webster (track 9). Here is mixed twice, by Frederic Galliano (track 3) and Doctor L, who adds guitar, sitar and flute to Keita's original.

The mixers are unfamiliar to me, but their work is entrancing and I have been playing the CD almost daily. My next move is to search out the original recordings.

Updated: 16:14 Thursday, April 22, 2004