IT’S THE waiting-for-a bus metaphor tonight, with two sessions arriving simultaneously.

The new look of Thursday jazz at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, sees a return to the larger central room, an intimate atmosphere and a new food menu (01904 540911). Similarly, the 8pm timing is friendly to those with a young family and to those who have work on Friday morning. Tonight it is the turn of the Mardi Gras Band, with special guests Dave Johnson (drums) and John Marley (bass).

Your second Thursday session is with the Karl Mullen Trio at Churchill’s Hotel, Bootham, from 7pm (01904 644456). As with the Swan an extensive menu is available, but dining is not obligatory and you will be welcome for a drink.

Across town in Skeldergate tomorrow night is the newest session in York at the Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel (01904 611570), where at 8pm you will find the Ian Chalk Trio.

The Scottish five-piece band which rejoices in the name Moishe’s Bagel is not jazz strictly speaking, but presents an energetic and irresistible range of music tomorrow night at the NCEM. Covering klezmer, Balkan, Middle Eastern and Celtic sounds, the Bagels are an inspired joint presentation with J-Night and York Theatre Royal.

The adventurous Wakefield Jazz has a special gig tomorrow night with the Tony Woods Lyric Ensemble with Nikki Iles. Vocalist Nette Robinson began collaborating with the late Michael Garrick in 2009. Nette performed and recorded many of his songs. The Garrick piano chair is ably occupied by the great Nikki Iles. (01977 680542).

The lone venue for Traditional jazz in the region is every Saturday at Jazz in the Spa and the Savannah Jazz Band will bring driving New Orleans jazz to the Trustees Hall, High Street (01937 842636).

Sunday has three gigs jostling for attention in York, beginning with John Marley’s Jazz Trio at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate (01904 620222). Bass player John and drummer Paul Smith play instrumental jazz for lunch, with different guest musicians each week from 1pm.

The energetic Karl Mullen is at the Waggon and Horses, Lawrence Street, with vocalist Jen Low tackling jazz, soul and blues from 7pm (01904 637478).

Pianist Chris Moore is another mover and shaker, cropping up in different groups. On Sunday he has made the inspired choice of tenor saxophonist Frank Brooker to join his backing trio at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, at 8pm.

Chris Moore also fronts the Phoenix Inn jam session every Wednesday with trumpeter James Lancaster. Follow all Phoenix jazz at 01904 656401, phoenixinnyork@live.co.uk and John Marley’s fabulous website jazzinyork.com/events lists all gigs.

The tireless Frank Brooker turns up again next Wednesday, at Scarborough Jazz at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace (01723 500570). Go for a paddle in the afternoon and let the jazz warm you from 8.30pm.

• A future date for your diary will be Friday 17 May, when four-piece Glasgow band Brass Jaw swings into the NCEM. Voted Ensemble of the Year in the 2011 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, working without a traditional rhythm section, the band is characterised by great drive and charisma, driven by baritone saxophone. Their gig at Scarborough Jazz is still talked about with enthusiasm.