Jazz notes

Pianist Nikki Iles is tomorrow night’s guest with the University of York Jazz Orchestra in the Rymer Auditorium (01904 322439). She is a member of the Kenny Wheeler Big Band (below).

Tomorrow’s session at Wakefield Jazz is by Christian Brewer (alto saxophone) and pianist Andrea Pozza’s Quartet (01977 680542). Closer to hand tomorrow night, 3 Shades of Jazz play Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel in Skeldergate.

On Saturday night, Rachel’s Dream will come to Jazz in the Spa playing tunes by the Benny Goodman Quartet (01937 842636).

Bass player John Marley runs Sunday lunchtime jazz from 1pm at Kennedy’s café Bar, Little Stonegate, York (01904 620222). John has set up a website jazzinyork.com. From this Jazz Notes learns that Karl Mullen (piano) and Jen Lowe (vocals) will be at the Waggon and Horses, Lawrence Street, on Sunday at 6pm and that the Ian Chalk Quartet will be at the Phoenix, George Street, at 8.30pm, also on Sunday.

The Kate Peters Quartet move into the Phoenix on Monday night and the Wednesday night jam session is led by Chris Moore and James Lancaster.

The tireless Mullen returns on Tuesday to the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, with drummer Neil Scott as Encouraging The Loony (01904 654307). The guest at Scarborough Jazz runs on Wednesday at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace (01723 500570) will be trumpeter/vocalist Martin Jones.

Audiences at York jazz venues range from teens to oldsters, but musicians who play at Trad clubs says audience numbers are waning because the punters are winging off to the great jam session in the sky.

Sometimes the musicians themselves are of pensionable age, such as Chris Barber (83), Acker Bilk (84) and Kenny Ball (82). All are still playing and touring, just as some American counterparts did.

Artie Shaw lived until he was 94 and Eubie Blake died a week after his 100th birthday. “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself,” said Eubie.

Trumpeter Kenny Wheeler is 82, but his new album is fresh as paint.