The big York jazz weekend begins tonight at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, with Perfect Houseplants, one of the most innovative and distinctive jazz groups in the UK.

Although mainly acoustic, the band at times approaches the sound of supergroup Weather Report. The band made an exciting album with Early Music recorder virtuoso Pamela Thorby, in 2000, and she joins them again for tonight's concert. Pamela's bass recorder is particularly suited to the Houseplants' sound.

The weekend offers a repeat of last year's sell-out Late Learners session, when Snake Davis will lead a workshop from 10am to 1pm on Saturday. The Snake's gig tomorrow night is sold out, but you may be lucky to find tickets for Sunday's concert by John Taylor. The internationallyrenowned Mr Taylor's concert will be at 4pm, followed at 8pm by Tatenda, with members of the University of York Jazz band.

Details of all of the above from 01904 658338.

If Houseplants is sold out tonight, there is live piano jazz at the Jacobean Lodge, Plainville Lane, Wigginton (01904 762749).

Jazz In The Spa tomorrow night has an outstanding combination of musicians from the USA and UK.

Stride pianist Jeff Barnhart and multi-instrumentalist Jim Fryer lead the quintet to blow up a storm (01937 842544).

There is more piano jazz in York on Tuesday night, when Nina Zagorski and Karl Mullen alternate at the Last Drop Inn, Colliergate (01904 621951).

Also on Tuesday, saxophonist Matt Smith is the guest at Scarborough Jazz (01723 379818).

Matt has recorded many sessions for BBC TV and radio and he is joined by Peter Elsdon on piano.

Marcos Valle is one of Brazil's biggest popular artists and a main representative of the second generation of the bossa nova. He brings his seven-piece band to the Leeds College of Music Venue on Tuesday at 7.30pm (0113 222 3434).

Pinski Zoo was a British band which made a huge impact in the 1980s and had a similar effect on the USA in the 90s. Stylistically close to Ornette Coleman's Prime Time, the Pinskis celebrate their 25th anniversary with a tour which takes in the Leeds Wardrobe on Wednesday (0113 383 8800) and The Shed at Hovingham Village Hall a week tomorrow (01653 668494).

Ryedale Jazz Club has a trad alternative on Wednesday at the White Horse, Kirkbymoorside (01723 859495).

Concord Records is sweeping up a number of vocalists. The new jazz album from Curtis Stigers is on Concord and this week Jane Monheit joined the label for her seventh album release.

Jane's first London appearance in the year 2000 stunned with her raven-haired Rita Hayworth-style looks and Jessica Rabbit figure.

However, the young New Yorker has a peerless repertoire of the great American songbook.

The new album, Surrender, is a move towards contemporary bossa novas and ballads, many with sumptuous strings added.

The beat of Brazil is seldom far away and her love of Brazilian composers is reflected in her choices of tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ivan Lins, among others, and Lins himself duets with Monheit on his Rio de Maio.

The harmonica of Toots Thielemans solos beautifully on Caminhos Cruzados, one of three songs which sung in Portuguese.

Well-worn Moon River comes out freshly and Stevie Wonder's Overjoyed is given the Brazilian touch (no depilatory gags, please).

My favourite track is So Many Stars, with composer Sergio Mendes guesting on piano.

Hear Jane Monheit yourself tonight on Friday Night Is Music Night, BBC Radio 2 at 7.30pm, when she will be heard live from the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

Label-mate Curtis Stigers will also be on hand.

Jazz on 3 (BBC Radio 3) has a further live broadcast tonight from Cheltenham at 11.30pm, featuring the Bob Brookmeyer Quartet.

Finally, something for the holiday season. Chancery Cruising will run its 7th Annual Jazz Party at Sea on November 2. Nine nights, flying out to Miami from London, will cost between £1,229 and £1,800 and will feature Randy Weston, Dick Hyman, David Fathead Newman and scores more. Details from 020 7405 7056.