SCARBOROUGH Jazz Festival director Mike Gordon has recovered from the heart-stopping bombshell that because of illness Jacques Loussier will be unable to play – after all the programmes, posters and T-shirts have been printed.

“However, I can guarantee that our audience will be dazzled by his replacement, the David Rees-Williams Trio,” said Mike.

“David will demonstrate his amazing virtuosity and jazz improvisation on the Scarborough Spa’s Bosendorfer grand piano and also on the Hammond organ. BBC Radio 3 Jazz LineUp will be recording David’s performance and broadcasting it nationally. The BBC will also record Gilad Atzmon’s Orient Express and the Tommy Evans Orchestra.”

The weekly Scarborough Jazz at the Cask sessions continue on Wednesday with the Alastair Laurence Quartet. Pianist Alastair studied at the University of York and went on to be a builder of sought-after pianos – the University owns a Laurence piano. His playing career spans 50 years and he spent 14 years in Norway. Alastair will bring two Norwegian jazz musicians with him to Scarborough, plus Belgium’s premier jazz flautist, Serge Lippens; full details from 01723 500570.

Tomorrow night, Jazz In The Spa presents good old foot-stomping traditional jazz with the Esk Valley Jazz Band, from the Cumbria/ Scottish Borders region (01937 842544). The Trustees Hall, Boston Spa, is unlicensed so take your own tipple.

St Clement’s Hall, Moss Street, has become a thriving community venue and on Saturday night will be the host for a live music party at 8pm with York Street Band, with Anthea Gomez on accordion, and Continental Drift (phone Dan on 07906 893233). The event is a curtain-raiser for the York Latin Street Festival on Sunday, which runs from 2pm to 9pm in The Quarter, York City centre.

The Quarter is the lively area of pubs, bars and restaurants around Stonegate, Little Stonegate and Swinegate and there will be food and street entertainment, headlined by Mambo Rumbo from 7.45pm to 9pm.

As the event above demonstrates, Sunday is far from a day of rest for live music in York and you will find top quality jazz bang at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate (01904 620222). Brazilian pianist Zezo Olimpio, who features with many of the best of local bands, stretches out with his own trio at 1pm.

While studying for an MA at the University of York, Zezo plays with the Five Pieces of Silver, directs the University Big Band and appears on the new CD from the Kate Peters (review soon in Jazz Notes).

Later on Sunday, Ms Peters will step in for usual resident band Ian Chalk with her Quartet from around 8.30pm at the Phoenix, George Street (01904 656401). Catch Kate while you can – she is destined for great things.

Two minutes away from the Phoenix pianist Karl Mullen has a residency with vocalist Jen Lowe at the Spread Eagle, Walmgate, from around 7pm. Karl and Jen generally attract other local musicians as sitters-in.

The celebrated jam session will continue at the Phoenix on Wednesday night, fronted by James Lancaster (trumpet) and Chris Moore (piano).

Spoilt for choice on Thursday night, you have Bejazzled with Mike Riley at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate (01904 540911) and Jules And The Gang at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane (01904 654307).

Bejazzled and guitarist Mike Riley have been playing together at the Old White Swan for over 16 years and before then Mike spent many years touring the country with the Syd Laurence Orchestra. An exciting way to earn an honest shilling, you may think, but Mike stopped after realising he had driven 90,000 miles in one year.

Head Gangster and drummer Jules is a more recent arrival on the York scene, but has gathered several talented local musicians to join his Gang. Musical director Bob “Bugsy” Smeaton is a versatile pianist and a regular mainstay of the Mardi Gras Band, together with trumpeter Greg “The Gimp” Wadman. Joining Greg in front is virtuoso reedsman Frank “The Bruiser” Brooker and the Gang moll is Miss Rosie, vocals. The music’ll kill ya.