YORK'S National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) has a big jazz weekend tomorrow and Sunday.

The Alonza Quartet is made up of past and present members of the University of York big band and they will be playing lively, melodic originals influenced by contemporary musicians such as John Taylor, Nikki Iles and composer in residence Julian Arguelles. The Alonza Quartet will be at the NCEM on tomorrow at 7.30pm.

On Sunday, the national tour by Cathie Rae's Flow Experience drops into the NCEM to support the release of her new album Flow, produced by her partner Julian Arguelles. Cathie's family background is solidly musical on both sides and she is a founder member of the Chet Baker Tribute Band. Details from 01904 658338.

The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York has become noted for quality jam sessions and other live music. On Sunday, the pub will be running another Jazz Marquee Festival, from 12.30pm to night-time closing. Trumpeter James Lancaster will be organising a full day of jazz, featuring all the resident bands from the regular sessions, plus his own Ripon Grammar School big band.

Bass player Paul Baxter will be fielding his top drawer Mingus tribute band, Headfirst and keyboards player George Hall gets to wear two hats. George will back rising young York vocalist Holly Taymar and he will also be launching his own band's first CD, Twenty Four Seven (no relation).

Catch the band live on Sunday and buy the CD, plus the album by Holly Taymar, both available on GenieCake Records at Banks Music Shop.

Also on Sunday, one-man music machine Jools Slater will be staging guerilla gigs around the city. "As part of Music Live 2005, saxophonist Jools will be an official solo street busker, along with a select band of other musicians," said Kirsty Halliday of City of York Council. "From midday onwards, we will have music happening right across York and around the suburbs, to make sure that as many people as possible take part in the festival," said Jools. "The Guerillas will arrive at locations, perform and disappear, Pied Piper-style back to the city centre."

Jools continues to run his Tuesday session at the Phoenix, 75 George Street, York, with an open mic session from 10pm.

Tonight's big attraction at Wakefield Jazz is long reigning member of the British jazz royalty Peter King, with his Quartet. Details from 01977 680542.

Jeff Barnhard is a stride pianist from the USA and tomorrow night he joins with the late Tommy Burton's Sporting House Strings in an inspired pairing at Jazz in the Spa. The venue is the Trustees Meeting House, Boston Spa, details from 01937 842544.

Also tomorrow night Howden Live presents vocalist Kiki Dee with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri, details from 01430 431535.

Tuesday's guest at Scarborough Jazz at Scholar's Bar will be your writer, plus York keyboards player Bob Smeaton.

On Wednesday, Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn will host the Harry Beckett Band. Barbados-born Harry has been resident in Britain since 1954 and has played in every major band. This Jazz Services tour also features saxophonist Chris Biscoe. Details from 01482 346239.

Updated: 09:13 Friday, May 20, 2005