Back in February, all of York’s resident bands got together to play a charity concert for Haiti and the event was a great success at a packed Post Office Club, Marygate.

Chris Moore and Rosie have organised a second six-band bash at the same venue, with proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestine. Chris’s Wednesday night band, Bejazzled, the Ben Beattie Band, Ian Chalk Quartet, the Mardi Gras Band and Encouraging The Looney will all be lining up to play. The amazing range of terrific music available in York every week will be showcased on one night, Monday at the Post Office Club. Tickets on the door and there will be a raffle and auction.

One of the most successful new bands in York, 5 Pieces Of Silver, has been booked for several jazz festivals. Big news from the Pieces is that they are now the resident band at the Phoenix Inn (01904 656401) on the first Thursday of every month. The band’s brainwave is to focus upon a different Horace Silver album for each gig and the first (August 5) will re-create music from the Cape Verdean Blues album.

Other regular sessions at the Phoenix are the weekly Wednesday night jam sessions with Chris Moore and James Lancaster and Sunday nights with the Ian Chalk Quartet.

The Phoenix Nights sessions run on alternate Tuesdays and next week’s session on July 20 features Chet Baker-influenced vocalist Brian Acton, with the Arts Barge Ensemble masterminded by bass player Christian Topman (info@artsbarge.com)

New owners Val and Tim have established the Phoenix as a jazz success story with the varied and regular sessions above, so all they need now is the support of the great jazz population of York. Details from 01904 656401.

In the meantime, you can download the Ian Chalk Quartet’s first album, First Days, on iTunes and Paul Baxter’s Eyes Tight Shut trio has a new one in production to be released soon.

A Trad stronghold most Saturday nights is Jazz In The Spa (01937 842544). Tomorrow night’s band is the Oriental Jazz Band, from the Netherlands. An eight-piece traditional band of young musicians, it includes a lady vocalist in the Billie Holiday mould.

Sunday lunchtime jazz in York is with the Zezo Olimpio Trio at Kennedys Cafe Bar, Little Stonegate, from 1pm to 4pm (01904 620222).

Thursday is one of the most popular nights for jazz in York, often with a choice of several venues. Bejazzled with Mike Riley has alternated with the Mardi Gras Band at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, for more than 16 years. Next Thursday will be Mardi Gras night (01904 540911).

The big festival season has arrived, and the Hull Jazz Festival runs a New Orleans Season at the Hull Truck Theatre with Django A La Creole. New Orleans-born trumpeter Abram Wilson will play at 5.30pm and Pee Wee Ellis will close the evening at 8.30pm with his Jazz Sextet. Harrogate Summer Festival begins tonight, with the first jazz on Sunday with Courtney Pine at the Royal Hall, 8pm. Christine Tobin and Liam Noble will be in cabaret at the Crown Hotel at 8pm on Monday. The 2010 Artist in Residence, Alex Wilson, will run a series of exciting events over the weekend of July 23 to 26 and Harry Connick Jr protégé Peter Cincotti will be at the Royal Hall on July 27. For tickets, phone 0845 130 8840.