EARLIER in the year, Jazz Notes was bowled over by a chance earful of the Strictly Come Dancing orchestra on TV.

Whether or not you are a fan of the sequined twirlers, don’t miss the fabulous band directed by Dave Arch and the uncannily accurate vocalists, who include Lance Ellington, son of Ray Ellington (remember the Goon Show? Time has not been kind to the humour, but the music carries on). Check for remaining tickets (Mrs Jazz Notes and I have ours) for tonight’s Dance To The Music, Dave Arch and the Strictly Band at the York Barbican.

Wakefield Jazz continues its Summer Festival tonight with the Kim Macari Sextet under the subtitle of “Green Shoots.” This shows a commitment to nurturing up-and-coming musicians and offering audiences great jazz at reduced prices. Kim leads with trumpet and flugelhorn, with 2011 Yamaha Jazz Scholar Riley Stone-Lonergan (tenor saxophone) and the sextet favours hard bop.

Music begins at 8.30pm and food will be available from 7pm (01977 680542).

Jamstock, the free outdoor music festival, begins at noon tomorrow at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, to celebrate Access To Music and The Jam Factory’s ten years of delivering quality music training in York.

As well as enjoying the excellent music, you can get some exercise by contributing to the eco pedal-powered PA system. As Kermit the Frog sang, it isn’t easy being green, but it is planet-friendly and you can feel incredibly smug as you pedal.

An outstanding band at Jazz In The Spa tomorrow night recreates the sounds of the Benny Goodman small groups, with clarinet legend Dave Shepherd, Roger Nobes (vibraphone) and Len Skeat (bass). The Trustees Hall is unlicensed so take your own tipple (01937 842544).

Joe Stilgoe will be the final triumphant presentation of the jazz season at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York at 4pm on Sunday (01904 658338 – see opposite).

Warm up for the NCEM with Sunday lunch and more fine piano with the Zezo Olimpio Trio at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, York (01904 620222).

Afterwards, complete your day of great jazz with the Ian Chalk Quartet a stone’s throw away at the Phoenix Inn, George Street (01904 656401) and phoenixinnyork@live,co.uk You can buy takeaway jazz to cheer that Monday morning feeling with a copy of Chalkie’s fab new CD album, Stepping Out.

Two more must-hear sessions at the Phoenix are the Wednesday night jam session led by Chris Moore and James Lancaster and a special Thursday presentation, The Firefly – Remembering Emily. Emily Remler was a gifted American guitarist and this tribute programme was masterminded by Diedre Cartwright and Cathy Dyson. Joining the duo will be York’s hot blues guitarist Al Morrison.

Trumpeter Ian Chalk is also a key member of General Cluster, a Scarborough-based sextet. Saxophonist Steve Whitehead shares the frontline duties with the Cluster and the pair will peel off on their own on Wednesday to play at Scarborough Jazz with the resident Mike Gordon Trio (01723 500570). While you are at the club’s venue, the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, pick up all the info on the Scarborough Jazz Festival (September 28 to 30).

York’s long-standing Thursday jazz venue is the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, and for more than 20 years Bejazzled with Mike Riley have alternated fortnightly with the Mardi Gras Band. Next Thursday 28 June will be Bejazzled night (01904 540911).