YORK’S newest jazz venture featured a debut in York for the four-piece version of Frank Brooker’s Happy Chappies band, last Sunday at Plonker’s Wine Bar, Cumberland Street. True to the name, the band sounded great in the room and some of the city’s jazz aficionados heard news on the grapevine and found their way to Plonkers.

No word yet as to whether the event will be repeated in the near future, but this excellent band, usually heard in the West Riding, needs the chance of a wider hearing; watch this space.

In the meantime, you can hear Frank playing solo with the resident Mike Gordon Trio at Scarborough Jazz at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, next Wednesday at 8.30pm (01723 500570).

Jazz is well under way every Thursday at Middleton’s Hotel, Skeldergate, and tonight`s band is the popular Bejazzled, with the addition of guitarist Mike Riley, at the new time of 8.30pm to 11pm (01904 611570). There is a new parking barrier at the hotel, but parking is free on Cromwell Road after 8pm.

Regular Sunday jazz in York begins at 1pm at Kennedy’s Café Bar Little Stonegate, with John Marley (bass), Paul Smith (drums) and guests (01904 620222). Sunday night at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, will host Alex Robinson’s West Coast Project, with the music of Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan and more.

Wednesday’s Phoenix jazz jam session demands an early arrival, as it has become one of the most popular features in the York jazz calendar, a close second to Middleton’s for filling a room quickly. All ages and abilities are welcome to try their skills in front of an audience, backed by Chris Moore, James Lancaster, Trevor King and either George Beastall or Christian Topman (01904 656401).

For jazzers prepared to travel a short way tomorrow night, Wakefield Jazz has Short Story, with Gareth Williams and Dave Green, in a re-imagining of the music of classic piano/bass duo Bill Evans and Scott LeFaro (01977 680542). This will be a killer session by two British jazz heavyweights.

Jazz in the Spa welcomes the return of two of their favourite reed players on Saturday night, the Amy Roberts/John Hallam Jazz Five, with the wonderful Tom Kincaid on piano (01937 844898).

Diary Date: Multi-award winning guitarist Martin Taylor will return for a solo concert at the National Centre for Early Music on Friday 28 March at 7.30pm. Tickets from 01904 658338 or ncem.co.uk An unfortunate clash sees the Snake Davis Band appearing at Fibbers, Stonebow, the same night (01904 651250).