NEWS this week of the reissue of Buster Keaton film The General chimes nicely with York pianist Kieran White, who has written an original piano soundtrack to the film, greeted with thunderous acclaim at York City Screen last year. He has given a number of seminars on his compositional technique, which can include comic references ranging from Wagner’s Ring Cycle to Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Kieran will present his soundtrack at Helmsley Arts Centre on Saturday and at Great Ouseburn village hall on Saturday, February 8, performing in costume contemporary with the film and playing the music in real time. Audience participation comes as Kieran invites requests from the audience. Tickets are flying for the Helmsley show at 7.30pm (01439 771700).

Tonight’s jazz in York will be at Middleton’s Hotel, Skeldergate, with the Mardi Gras Band at 8pm (01904 611570). This is a small change to the usual programme, but Bejazzled with Mike Riley will appear next Thursday. Mardi Gras drummer Trevor King will be playing with Karl Mullen’s Trio at Churchill’s Hotel, Bootham, but his seat will be kept warm by Dave Cook.

Karl teams up with vocalist Jen Low on Sunday for soul, blues and jazz at 7pm at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street (01904 652050). First up on Sunday will be John Marley and guests at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, at 1pm (01904 620222).

Sunday’s final gig will be at 8.30pm at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, with Ian Chalk’s Quartet. Ian will be back on Monday at the Phoenix, as part of Kate Peters’ fabulous septet, an expansion from her usual quartet not to be missed. The Phoenix jazz jam continues on Wednesday at 8.30pm (01904 656401).

Karl Mullen, it’s that man again, will go crazy with Encouraging The Loony at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, on Tuesday at 8.30pm (01904 654307).

Outside of York, tomorrow night Wakefield Jazz presents the Ant Law Band (01977 680542, see review below). On Saturday, Jazz In The Spa will present the Maine Street Jazzmen (01937 844898). Scarborough Jazz operates every Wednesday at the Cask Inn, Cambridge Terrace, and next week’s guest will be saxophonist Josh Kemp with his quartet (01723 351983).