THE Medical Aid for Gaza gig raised almost £1,500, but the name of Karl Mullen seems to have dropped off from last week’s Jazz Notes. Karl was the unselfish man who ran around fixing the PA system for all the bands, and also provided the blinder top-of-the-bill spot alongside drummer Neil Scott in their tearaway duo, Encouraging The Looney.

The Looneys provided a fittingly euphoric closer to an evening of outstanding music. Great stuff. You can hear Karl’s bigger Jazz Band in all its glory on the second Thursday of each month (August 12 next) at the Churchill Hotel’s Piano Restaurant (01904 644456).

Saxophonist/clarinettist Martin Boyd is a long-standing favourite on the York scene and his Kid Boyd Band plays at jazz clubs and festivals as far apart as Edinburgh and Bude. His band’s success is down to the wide range of jazz styles covered, from New Orleans to Swing and boogie, the high standard of musicianship, plus the phenomenal, wild drumming of Rod (Animal) MacNamara. Catch the band at Jazz In The Spa tomorrow night at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa (01937 842544).

York has two jazz treats every Sunday, starting with the Zezo Olimpio Trio at Kennedys Cafe Bar, Little Stonegate, at 1pm (01904 620222). On Sunday night, the focus moves to the Phoenix, George Street, with the Ian Chalk Quartet from 8.30pm. Have a listen to the Ian Chalk Quartet on iTunes and download the debut album First Days.

The Phoenix presents more jazz on Wednesday with the weekly jam session, led by Chris Moore and James Lancaster. On Thursday, 5 Pieces of Silver take up a new residency on the first Thursday of each month, with music from a different Horace Silver album each month. This month’s choice is the Cape Verdean Blues album. Details from the Phoenix Inn (01904 656401).

On Friday, 5 Pieces of Silver share the stage with Clare Teal and Anita Wardell at the Burton Agnes Jazz & Blues Festival and the Silver’s pianist Zezo Olimpio’s Trio will play on Saturday, August 7, at 1pm.

Later on Saturday, Dennis Rollins and the Al Wood Big Band will be playing and York’s youngest set of jazzers, Ben Beattie and the Jazz Age, will be in the Great Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Ben’s startlingly youthful sextet was a big hit at the Aid For Gaza concert and a reassuring confirmation that the future of jazz is safe with a new generation. An exciting weekend, check the website or phone 01262 490324.

The big success story of recent years has been jazz with dinner, pioneered by the Andy Hillier Jazz Trio at the Dean Court Hotel (01904 625082). Andy fits the monthly First Tuesday Jazz Dinners into his busy schedule as trombonist with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Occasionally the Pasadena’s touring takes him abroad and he passes the trio leadership to another player, most recently to Martin Boyd, with Bob Smeaton at the piano.

If you have booked for next Tuesday’s Jazz Dinner, you may have pause for thought when you learn that the guest trombonist will be your writer. No offence taken if you change your mind.

Scarborough Jazz at the Cask runs on Wednesday (01723 379818) will feature Chris Hodgkins (trumpet) and Julia Wray (saxophones).

Back in York, the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, has been running every Thursday for 16 years with Bejazzled and the Mardi Gras Band alternating. Next Thursday is Special Sausage Night, music by York’s silliest old sausages, the Mardi Gras Band (01904 540911).