THE musings on jazz accordion by Don Lodge and myself last week have resulted in some interest from my reader Don Simpson, of Upper Poppleton (so he's the one).

Mr Simpson writes that jazz accordion is a regular fixture at The Trumpet, Bilston, West Midlands. Steve Pacito plays the Sunday lunchtime sessions and there is jazz every night at The Trumpet. Don urges you to catch Steve's accordion, plus real ale, at this terrific little venue (01902 493723) if ever you are stranded in the Midlands. It's in my diary, Don.

Pianist Gerry Spencer served a jazz apprenticeship with the Bridlington-based Bay City Jazz Band, went to South Africa to work in television and had the great good fortune to meet the beautiful Esther Miller.

Esther gave up her medical studies to become a jazz singer and, as man and wife, they now live in the UK. A Jazz Services tour offers two chances to catch Esther with her sextet, starting tonight at Wakefield Jazz (01977 680542) and on Tuesday at Scarborough Jazz (01723 379818). Alongside Gerry's piano there will be Bryan Corbett (trumpet) and Karen Sharpe (tenor saxophone).

Tonight is jazz piano night at the Jacobean Lodge, Plainville Lane, Wigginton.

Trad fans will be heading for Jazz In The Spa tomorrow night for Phil Mason's New Orleans All Stars with Christine Tyrell (01937 842544). Meanwhile, everyone else will make for Shire Hall, Market Place, Howden (01430 431535) on tomorrow for the Alan BarnesBruce Adams Quintet.

The summer sunshine by the river in York was enhanced by the smooth jazz of Tim New and Don Lodge last Sunday. The venue was York's newest jazz joint, the Revolution, next to City Screen, Coney Street. The saxophone guitar duo will play every Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm.

The energetic young bass player Paul Baxter brings his descarga project to York's 1331 Bar on Sunday night. Los Feos is an exciting Latin band which features some of our best local musicians, including Chris Moore (piano) and Andy Hillier (trombone). Descarga means a Latin jam session.

Some of the same Los Feos faces may also turn up at the jam session on Wednesday night at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green.

Tickets are going fast for the Jazz Weekend at the National Centre For Early Music, in York, from May 4 to 6. The Friday night features Perfect Houseplants, with Pamela Thorsby (recorder), while the Snake Davis band plays on the Saturday. Snake will also be running a Late Learners' jazz workshop. The concert at 4pm on the Sunday will be by pianist John Taylor. Tickets: 01904 658338.

With pleasing symmetry, we end with the jazz accordion. The new album from Curtis Stigers, Real Emotional (Concord Records), has Larry Golding moving tastefully in and out of the tracks on the squeezebox. He also co-produces with Stigers and plays piano, vibraphone and Hammond organ, and gets my vote as top man of the session. The Hammond is heard to funky effect on Emmylou Harris' I Don't Want To Talk About It Now and it lends a down-home Dr John feel to Mose Allison's Your Mind Is On Vacation.

Also on hand are guitarist John Pizzarelli and the gloriously expressive trumpet of John Sneider.

With songs by Tom Waits, Dylan, Paul Simon and Stigers himself, plus Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust, this is a near-perfect album.

Stigers plays hot saxophone and his relaxed, soulful voice has varied backings, from the confidently laid-back small group to occasional tracks with just piano.

Curtis played Pocklington Arts Centre a while ago, but his new tour takes in assorted major concert halls.