THE Harrogate International Festival has forged an enviable reputation for attracting high-profile jazz artists.

Although the festival doesn't start until July 21, there is a curtain-raiser tonight (18th) at Harrogate Theatre. Soweto Kinch has played in previous festivals with Jazz Jamaica All Stars and now he brings his own group.

One of the few musicians with a degree in modern history from Oxford, Soweto has been moonlighting recently as part of The Big Blue, the backing band for TV's Pop Idol. Tonight at 7.30pm, the music will be all his own. For tickets phone: 01423 502116.

Since his rise to prominence with Loose Tubes, saxophonist Iain Bellamy has refused to be pigeon-holed into any jazz style. His group Food mixes British and Norwegian musicians and tonight he comes to Wakefield Jazz with another Nordic colleague, Stian Carstensen. Intriguingly, Carstensen plays the button accordion and the duo will be playing selections from their new CD, The Little Radio (Sound Records). Details from 01977 680542.

The third major saxophone star to hit our region will be Matt Wates, tomorrow night (19th) at Howden Live. Matt was a runner-up in the alto saxophone section of last year's British Jazz Awards and his concerts often sell out. The Matt Wates Quintet will be at the Shire Hall, Howden, tomorrow at 8pm, ticket details from 01430 431535.

For the past five years Richard Leach has been the trombonist with Pete Allen's Band. Tomorrow he brings his own Chicago-style 7 Stars of Jazz to the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa. Bring your own drinks, because there is no bar. Details from 01937 842544.

York's newest jazz joint is The Phoenix, George Street, inside the city walls every Tuesday. Saxophonist/flautist Jools Slater is the mover and shaker here.

Scarborough Jazz has been running every Tuesday for many years and the policy is to have different players each week. On Tuesday, Julie Edwards and the Kevin Dearden Band will swing into Scholars Bar. Details from 01723 379818.

The Sage is the fantastic new music centre in Gateshead and this weekend it will be hosting a blockbuster jazz festival. Having discovered that big names work at Newcastle City Hall, after sell-out concerts by Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis, The Sage will present McCoy Tyner, John Surman, Henri Texier, EST and many more. More details at www.thesagegateshead.org

The jazz profile is set to rise in York in coming months, with four spring concerts at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate. First up is Tim Richard's Great Spirit on April 15, with Stan Tracey and Peter King following on May 5. Box office: 01904 658338.

York Theatre Royal gets into the act with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth during Ascot Week and the Dune Jazz Festival on July 29 and 30. As legendary jazz promoter David Porter prepares to leave the area, his parting shot is an association between his J Nights and Dune Records. More details in coming weeks.

Updated: 15:18 Thursday, March 17, 2005