A COUPLE of weeks ago, Jazz Notes commented on the quagmire of licensing legislation which discriminates against live music in small venues.

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has said for years that pubs, clubs and other small venues should be exempt. Lord Clement-Jones proposed the same in his Live Music Bill. Now, as the Government has announced another consultation on the Licensing Act, we have some movement.

The MU has responded to the consultation, but more voices are needed and you are invited to write to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in support of the MU and Lord Clement-Jones’ Bill to exempt small venues which put on live music for fewer than 200 people.

Wakefield Jazz notes a resurgence of interest in New Orleans jazz, possibly sparked by the recent antics of Hugh Laurie howling the blues, and tonight’s band is Tipitina, named after a New Orleans venue. Taking their lead from Fats Domino, Professor Longhair and Dr John, expect gospel, blues and jazz, fronted by the great voice of DebQbie Jones (01977 680542).

There is more New Orleans music tomorrow night at Jazz in the Spa with Dennis Armstrong’s Great Northern Jazz Band (01937 842544). Dennis was one-time leader of the Yorkshire Post Jazz Band and established this seven-piece band in 1991.

Sundays in York are always packed with jazz and this weekend’s highpoint is at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) with John Etheridge (guitar) and Chris Garrick (violin). The duo can evoke Reinhardt and Grappelli as readily as they can use loops and electronic effects to create exotic tapestries of sound, not surprising when the Etheridge pedigree includes the electronic wizardry of Soft Machine and the Zappatistas. This concert at 4pm on Sunday is part of the NCEM Winter Warmer series featuring top British musicians (01904 658338).

Start Sunday with a leisurely lunch at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, with the Zezo Olimpio Trio at 1pm (01904 620222). There is more at around 7pm with Karl Mullen (piano) and Jen Lowe (vocals) at the Spread Eagle, Walmgate, and you can round off Sunday with the Ian Chalk Quartet at the Phoenix Inn, George Street.

Kate Peters Quartet fill the Phoenix slot on Monday, while Wednesday night’s jam session at the Phoenix continues to pack them in, fronted by Chris Moore and James Lancaster (01904 656401).

Seven Jazz in Leeds always has some exciting jazz and on Sunday afternoon, saxophonist Phil Meadows will be playing jazz standards and originals with Stuart McCallum, guitarist extraordinaire from the Cinematic Orchestra. Seven Arts is at 31 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS3 3PD (sevenjazz.co.uk).

Scarborough Jazz runs on Wednesday nights at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, and Wednesday’s guest will be trumpeter Mark Chandler (01723 500570). Mark is a busy man, playing with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and the London-based Jay Craig Big Band.

Thursday jazz in York is at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, with the Mardi Gras Band (01904 540911) and there is more at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, with Jazz @ Jeromes (654307).