THE much-heralded new BBC drama Dancing On The Edge arrived on Monday and Tuesday. Written by Stephen Poliakoff, it has at its centre the Louis Lester Band, a black jazz band in 1930s London.

Finding fame and fortune among upper-class society, and even a certain member of the Royal household, the response of the hotel guests to the band’s opening number, Dowager’s Delight, was more the norm at the time as the toffs walked out on the band.

The music alternates between the brassy end of Glen Miller and the atmospheric “jungle music” of Duke Ellington, with two singers, played by Angel Coulby and Wunmi Mosaku. Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Shadow Line, Dirty Pretty Things) plays Louis Lester and bears a passing resemblance to Ellington in his elegant suits.

A new CD, The Louis Lester Band, Dancing On The Edge (Decca Records), reveals that all the music is original, composed by Adrian Johnston. This Girls Going Far is a brassy vocal number and the Dead Of Night Express has both singers driven by a train rhythm.

The hot trombone solos with plunger mute on Lovelorn Blues and the Sweet Mary Jane are reminiscent of York’s own Andy Hillier in his Pasadena Rooftop Orchestra days. The ensembles and solos throughout are played with real verve. So, 1930s Downton-style aristos, high society, Royalty, jazz bands, drama and music, is it any good? It’s Stephen Poliakoff, of course it is – next episode on Monday.

Your live jazz weekend begins tonight with a frustrating choice of three. Bejazzled and Mike Riley are at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate (01904 540911). Also tonight, Paul Baxter’s 5 Pieces of Silver will be back at the Phoenix Inn, George Street (01904 656401). Pianist Zezo Olimpio has returned to Brazil, but in tribute to him, the band will focus upon the Latin American tunes of Horace Silver. Zezo’ chair has been taken by Professor Grahame Hearne, lecturer at the Leeds College of Music. The Paul Baxter Quartet CD, Monuments, and his Trio CD, Evolution, are still available at paulbaxtermusic.com

Your third choice will be Jules and the Gang at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane (01904 654307).

On Sunday, the Central Scrutinisers return to the Phoenix, with Chris Moore (piano), Andrew Cox (saxophone), Georg Ruschmeyer (bass) and Tom Hawthorne (drums). This entertaining group plays music by Mingus, Monk and Wayne Shorter among others.

Tomorrow night Wakefield Jazz presents the Mike Walker/Iain Dixon Quintet (01977 680542). Guitarist Mike is achieving the recognition he deserves with the The Impossible Gentlemen and Iain’s clarinet and saxophone have never sounded better. Support band the Declan Forde Quartet takes the stage at 7.30pm.

The Spirit of New Orleans is an outstanding Yorkshire band with a relaxed, wide-ranging and entertaining style and they will swing into Jazz in the Spa on Saturday (01937 844898).

Scarborough Jazz runs every Wednesday at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, and next week’s guests will be Tina Featherstone and Stuart McDonald (01723 500570). Both reeds players have appeared at Scarborough separately, but this is their first pairing. Tina has played with many groups and fronts her own trio, while Stuart has played with Carla Bley and Jean Toussaint.