SIDESTEPPING the "waiting-for-a-bus" analogy, there are three choices vying for attention tonight, all out of town. The Venue at the Leeds College of Music will host the six-piece powerhouse band Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co.

Dennis is hailed by Jazzwise magazine as "the most exciting British trombonist for decades" and the band has a growing reputation, attracting dance and funk fans as well as jazzers. Tonight's (22nd) concert will be at 7.30pm, details from the box office 0113 222 3434.

Also tonight, Wakefield Jazz will be presenting the Martin Speake Charlie Parker Memorial, a project marking the 50th anniversary of the death of the Bird. Martin is close to the Bird in his technique, forged through a career which recently included a tour with Sam Rivers Rivbea Orchestra. Mike Outram will provide backing on guitar. Details from 01977 680542.

Finally, Whitby being a popular destination for Yorkies, you will be interested to hear of a jazz venue new to me, the Compass Club at the Resolution Hotel. There is a jazz double bill tonight at 8.30pm, with the vocalist Rosie Brown's Band and the Nick Kennedy Quartet. Rosie's Band features Leeds whiz-kid pianist Jamil Sheriff, while Kennedy's has renowned drummer Paul Smith. Discover more on 01947 603475.

Jazz in the Spa has been running for 16 years on a mainly trad ticket, but organisers Tim and Les are to be congratulated on bagging two of Britain's finest mainstreamers tomorrow night. Saxophonist Tommy Whittle and trombonist Don Lusher are household names in jazz and they have both had an illustrious passage through most of the major big bands. The venue will be the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa, details from 01937 842544.

Nina Zagorski and Karl Mullen will be playing Fine and Mellow at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York, on Monday night.

York saxophonist Jools Slater has sent me an update on his gig activities and the sessions which he and Karl Mullen ran at the Farmers Inn, Helperby, have ended. Jools and Karl thank everyone who has supported them over the year and invite you to their rising again on Tuesdays at the Phoenix, George Street, York.

Scarborough Jazz at Scholars also runs on Tuesdays and their guest will be trumpeter/guitarist Thom Whitworth, who is building a reputation on the British jazz scene. Details from 01723 379818.

General Cluster is a popular regional band with members drawn from Scarborough, Hull and York and which features the distinctive sound of Baz Hewland on the vibraphone. Next Wednesday the band will be playing at Hulljazz, the Goodfellowship Inn, Cottingham Road, Hull. The Cluster's repertoire ranges from Charlie Parker, Quincy Jones, Shorty Rogers to original material by band members.

Jazz promoter David Porter will be leaving our region soon, but he has planned a few gems for us, starting with J-night Hull on Sunday May 1. Denys Baptiste and his quartet will present A Love Supreme tribute to John Coltrane at Hull Truck Theatre (01482 323638). The first J-night York for 2005 will be on June 14 and 15 at York Theatre Royal with Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and friends (01904 623568).

Updated: 16:21 Thursday, April 21, 2005