IF PROOF were needed that jazz has long been an international art, Jazz In The Spa casts its net wide for tomorrow night’s guest band, who come from Nuremberg, Germany.

The Hot House Hooters is a group of young musicians, all formally trained, who give their influences as Louis, Kid Ory ans Jelly Roll Morton. The venue is the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa (01937 842544).

Continue your jazz weekend in the company of Brazilian pianist Zezo Olimpio at Kennedy’s Cafe bar, Little Stonegate, York, on Sunday from 1pm (01904 620222).

A short nap after Kennedy’s and the Sunday night place to be is the Phoenix, George Street, where the Ian Chalk Quartet is firmly settled in and marking up some outstanding music every week from 8.30pm (01904 656401).

The group plays a range of standards, plus originals written by band members George Hall (keyboards), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Ian. In the driving seat is drummer Dave Cook. George has a higher profile as keys man with York party band, Huge, as does trumpeter Ian Chalk. Eddie is a stalwart of Bejazzled and Andy Hillier’s various bands, while Dave runs his own busy recording studio. There are some talented folk in York.

The second celebrated session at the Phoenix is the weekly Wednesday jam session.

Fronted by James Lancaster (trumpet) and pianist Chris Moore, the jam element coming with the mid-evening period, when would-be jazzers are invited to join in. Scarborough Jazz also runs on Wednesday and next week’s guests are Jim Birkett (guitar) and Frank Brooker (reeds). The venue is the Cask and Sigma, Cambridge Terrace (01723 379818).

Thursday night brings the usual knotty problem of choices in York. Bejazzled, with Mike Riley (guitar) have been playing at the Old White Swan for over 16 years and have built up quite a loyal following. Thursday is sausage night at the Swan, with dinner deals to be had. Phone 01904 540911 for the latest offers.

The rival Thursday attraction is Jules and The Gang at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane (01904 654307). This is a six-piece fronted by Frank Brooker (reeds) and Greg Wadman (trumpet), with pianist Bob Smeaton as musical director.

What with jazz being over 100 years old and everything, it would be easy for Jazz Notes to become an obituary column, as the great players drop off the perch and go to the great jam session in the sky.

In the past few days alone, we have lost jazz singer and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln and Martin Drew, drummer with Oscar Peterson and Ronnie Scott.

Young musicians are also taken in their prime. Chris Dagley began as a self-taught drummer, practicing Buddy Rich licks in his parent’s garage. Joining the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra at 13, he went on to become drummer with the BBC Big Band and house drummer at Ronnie Scott’s Club. Chris died in a motor cycle accident in late July, aged 39, returning home from his gig at Ronnie’s.

Clare Teal played a fitting tribute to Chris last Monday night and played some of his outstanding work with the BBC Big Band.