THE York International J Night Series has done marvellous work in giving York credibility on the national jazz map and next weekend will further enhance the City's reputation.

Thanks to David Porter and his team at Creative Arts Promotion, we can once again look forward to music of truly international importance in three venues.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo open the festival at 7.30pm on Thursday at York Barbican Centre, with support from Zulu guitarist Fourteen Shabalala and concertina player Shongshilo. The South African choir first came into the spotlight on Paul Simon's Graceland album and are now Africa's number one selling recording group. Call the box office on 01904 656688.

Next Friday, Guy Barker's International Septet will play at Temple Hall, St John's College. A fearsome hard bop player, Guy has also recorded note-perfect tributes to Bix Beiderbecke and Chet Baker. He arranged and performed in Anthony Minghella's film The Talented Mr Ripley, duetting with Matt Damon and his recent Mercury Prize-nominated CD Soundtrack, is a tribute to film noir. Box office: 01904 658338.

Saturday's concert at the National Centre for Early Music is by the Soweto Kinch Quartet. Winner of the 2002 BBC Jazz Awards, Kinch is the country's most talked-about young jazz musician, known to York audiences from his work with Jazz Jamaica All Stars. He will be playing selections from his long-awaited new CD, Conversations With The Unseen.

The final concert will be a rousing affair by John Warren's Brass Junction on Sunday 25 May at 7.30pm. Leader of the Voice of the North big band, John is known primarily for his work with the John Surman/John Warren Brass Project. On Sunday, John will premiere Mixing It, his inspirational new work for jazz quintet, which features Steve Waterman and Mark Nightingale and a brass band choir. The NCEM Box Office is 658338.

Vying for your attention on Thursday, Leeds Jazz present the legendary American composer/pianist, Andrew Hill. Hill's position in jazz history was established through a series of recordings for Blue Note in the 1960s with some of the most forward-looking soloists of the time - Eric Dolphy, Joe Henderson and Sam Rivers amongst them. This will be Hill's first British tour for many years and he brings with him the core members of his New York band, plus some of Britain's finest, including Denys Baptiste, Tony Kofi, Byron Wallen and Fayez Virgi. Andrew Hill's Big Band will be performing music from his latest album, A Beautiful Day, at Leeds Irish Centre; details from 0113 245 5570.

With all of these big names in our region, Wakefield Jazz elbows into the limelight tonight with a Nikki Iles Band bulging with star talent. Joining pianist Nikki are Norma Winstone, Mike Walker, Stan Sulzman and Julian Arguelles; Gary Culshaw and Martin France complete the top-drawer line-up. Details from 01924 782339.

Tomorrow night, Jazz at the Crown, Boston Spa, presents Society Jazz All Stars, a Manchester group playing mainstream and standards. Details: 01937 842544.

On Tuesday, Scarborough Jazz at Scholars Bar welcomes the return of General Cluster, a distinctive six-piece with a trumpet, vibes and saxophone/clarinet front line. Details of General Cluster and the Scarborough Jazz Festival (19-21 September) from 01723 379818.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, May 16, 2003