First, an apology to anyone who followed up my item on the York National Centre For Early Music (NCEM) fifth birthday gig, advertised for tonight (8th).

June and Frank Newdick are just two who were disappointed to learn, on telephoning the NCEM, that the event was not open to the public.

Sorry I did not make this clear in last Friday's Jazz Notes.

Most definitely open to the public is the latest in the series of Bettys Jazz Dinners, tonight at the Belmont Rooms of York Bettys. Featuring the Mardi Gras Band, the timing will be 7pm for 7.30pm dinner, call Bettys for more details on 01904 659142.

Also tonight the Speakeasy Blues Band will be in York at the Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green.

Jazz in the Spa tomorrow night (9th) presents Dixieland from the North East of England with the River City Jazz Band. Jazz in the Spa is at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa, details from 01937 842544. The Trustees Hall is unlicensed, so you are invited to bring your own drinks.

North Yorkshire specialises in quality live music venues in the most unusual and occasionally remote places. A venue as adventurous in its music policy as Brawby's The Shed is The Band Room in Farndale, Kirkbymoor-side. Like The Shed, the Band Room is keen to present artists not necessarily in the public eye and tomorrow, American singer-songwriter Steve Forbert swings into Farndale. Details from 01751 432900.

The highly popular jam sessions at the Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green, York continue on Sunday night and on Wednesday night. Singers and musicians from the audience are invited to join in at both sessions.

On Monday night Nina and Karl play Fine and Mellow at the Rook And Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York.

On Tuesday (12th), your choice is between Jools Slater's Jazzerhead at the Phoenix, George Street, and the vocals/piano duo of Kate Lohan and Keiran White at the Pitcher and Piano, both in York.

On Tuesday, Scarborough Jazz welcomes the return of trumpet/ flugelhorn player Martin Jones, who is also known to break in stylish, good-humoured vocals. Details from 01723 379818.

On Wednesday (13th) Hulljazz has the virtuoso ensemble of the north's finest guitarist Pat McCarthy teamed with Britain's top bass player Dave Green, vocalist Liz Fletcher and Graham Clarke (violin). The venue is the Goodfellowship Inn, Cottingham Road, Hull, details from Ken Ford on 01482 346239.

Ken tells me that the club will be seeking a new venue in the autumn, since the Goodfellowship management has called time on jazz after the final session on August 3. Ken is pursuing various options, watch this space.

Also next Wednesday is the monthly meeting of the Pickering Jazz Club, a monthly Trad stronghold. Details from 01347 878642.

The fifth BBC Jazz Awards presentations were held at London's Mermaid Theatre last Saturday.

You can hear extended highlights tomorrow at 4pm on Jazz Line-up, BBC Radio 3. There is also a double CD out now on the Specific Jazz label, which features all the winners and nominees.

This is an exciting album of 20 tracks, every one from the top drawer of British jazz, with Jamie Cullum, Peter King, John Dankworth, Liane Carroll and Michael Garrick. Highly recommended.

Updated: 08:51 Friday, July 08, 2005