Apologies from Bejazzled, due to play the first jazz at the Cedar Court Grand Hotel, but cancelled for health and safety reasons. The band is no danger to life or limb, but final touches to building work are still progressing at the new York hotel and the promise is that Bejazzled will appear on the roof terrace on race days June 11 and 12.

The New Fats Waller Show comes to Jazz in the Spa tomorrow night, but since Fats is not well, his place will be taken by Jeff Barnhart, with John Hallam on reeds (01937 842544).

In York tomorrow night, the six-piece Jazz @ Jeromes will appear at the Winning Post, in Bishopthorpe Road, playing a mixture of jazz, blues and world music.

Sunday jazz in York is long-established, with sessions by pianist Zezo Olimpio’s group at Kennedys Cafe Bar from 1pm to 4pm (01904 620222) and Ian Chalk’s Quartet at the Phoenix, George Street, from 8.30pm (01904 656401). In addition, the Royal York Hotel is running Sunday lunchtime live music with jazz, Latin and lounge music alternating. Call 01904 653681 for details.

The Phoenix continues to bid for the title of York’s foremost jazz joint with two new sessions next week. The Black Swan musicians, fronted by James Lancaster and Chris Moore, have moved from Peasholme Green to the Phoenix, the first of their new gigs being on Wednesday. The tireless Paul Baxter continues with his 4 & More regular Thursdays, with Grass Roots, featuring Pete Williams (saxophone) and Taz Modi (organ). The programme will be Blue Note standards and swing, which will put a smile on the face of publican Tim.

The problem with Paul’s choice of Thursdays is that York is always spoilt for choice of jazz on that day. In addition to the Phoenix, the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, has jazz on Thursdays and the new session with Jules and the Gang is alternate Thursdays at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane. Occasional news also comes through of Karl Mullen`s Jazz Band at Churchill’s Hotel, Bootham, on Thursdays (call 01904 644456 for news on this one).

Bejazzled, with guitarist Mike Riley, will be at the Old White Swan (01904 540911) and Jules and the Gang will be fronted by Frank Brooker (saxophone) and trumpeter Greg Wadman (01904 654307), both on this Thursday.

Incidentally, in a one-off next Tuesday, the Jules Gang’s musical director, pianist Bob Smeaton, takes his sparky trio into June’s First Tuesday Jazz Supper slot at the Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place, York (01904 625082).

Jazz Notes is greatly enjoying the debut album by James Morton, Bristol-based alto saxophonist and a protege of Andy Sheppard.

The CD with his band Porkchop, Don`t You Worry ’Bout That (Fresh Ground Records), is one of the most up-lifting sounds you will hear in along time, worming into your brain and instilling the urge to boogie.

Shrewdly side-stepping the Snake Davis/David Sanborn route, Morton is no less compelling in his highly vocalised sound, but more Phil Woods/Hank Crawford in his bustling, muscular tone.

Guitarist Denny Ilett is an ideal foil to Morton and Dan Moore, providing supportive melodic backing and stonking solos evoking BB King crossed with George Benson.

Finally, jazz at the Swaledale Festival includes Roger Myerscough and Friends at Arkengarthdale on Sunday 30 May, Iain Ballamy and Stian Carstensen at Richmond`s Georgian Theatre on 9 June and the Snake Davis Band at Barnard Castle on Sunday 13 June. Details on the Swaledale Festival from 01748 880018.