IT IS always good to hear of a new jazz venue in York and this Sunday night will see Frank Brooker’s Happy Chappies bring their spirited music to Plonkers Wine Bar, Cumberland Street at 9pm (01904 655307).

This outstanding band has trumpeter Greg Wadman and extraordinary banjo player, Jim Wright, who takes the instrument to a level above merely rhythmic plonking at Plonkers. See him and marvel.

Another newish band on the York jazz landscape is One Foot In The Groove, a five piece led by Bob Smeaton (organ), at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, on Tuesday (01904 654307).

Also at the Vicky Vaults on Sunday afternoon will beCarol Addy and Finesse at 4pm, with tunes from the great American songbook.

Jazz tonight in York is with the Mardi Gras Band at Middleton`s Hotel, Skeldergate, at 8.30pm. The hotel has fitted a parking barrier to avoid overcrowding in its small car park, but on-street parking is free on Cromwell Road after 8pm.

More Sunday jazz begins at 1pm at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, with John Marley (bass), Paul Smith (drums) and guests (01904 620222).

The Ian Chalk Quartet will round off Sunday at 8pm, the Phoenix Inn, George Street (01904 656401). John Marley will reappear at the Phoenix on Monday night with the fabulous Kate Peters Quartet, at 8pm.

The Phoenix hosts the popular jazz jam on Wednesday night, with Chris Moore (piano), James Lancaster (trumpet), Christian Topman/George Beastall (bass) and Trevor King (drums). The Kier Hall trio will be at Zizzi’s Restaurant, Lendal, at 8pm, also on Wednesday.

Many York fans support Wakefield Jazz and tomorrow night’s band at the Sports Club will be led by pianist/vocalist Benet McLean (01977 680542).

Jazz in the Spa branches out on Saturday with Jump Jive `n` Wail, specialising in dance music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s (01937 844898).

Scarborough Jazz runs every Wednesday night at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, and next Wednesday will be an open mic night.

 

REVIEW

Julian Arguelles, Circularity (Cam Jazz) *****

A saxophonist first famous as a member of the ground-breaking Loose Tubes big band and currently with his octet as ensemble in residence at the University of York, this is Julian’s quartet of jazz superstars John Taylor (piano), Dave Holland (double bass) and Martin France (drums).

Expect no classic blues-based themes, no conventional AABA tune structures, but a totally riveting example of an “equal partners”

quartet, best heard on the intense solo/ensemble balance of A Lifelong Moment. Arguelles has never been in doubt as a leader and this is an album authoritative from the first notes of Holland’s bass on the opening track, Triality.

Contrasting stately, almost classical themes with racy modern jazz, the masterful solos and ensembles are playful, yet technically searching.

Stand-out tracks are the headlong, Bulgarian wedding band feel of Unopened Letter and the up-tempo, swirling theme of Another Escapade.