YORK saxophonist Jools Slater tells me there is now live jazz every night in the city, thanks to the arrival of his new jazz session on Tuesday night (15th) at The Phoenix, George Street. Alongside Jools on saxophone and flute will be fellow saxophonist Chris Backhouse and pianist Chris Moore as an occasional guest.

"There will be an open mic slot from 10-10.30pm each week, so old friends or beginners can come up and strut their stuff," said Jools. Call 0776 950 4794 for details.

So, there is no excuse for skulking at home in an armchair. The York run-down now looks like this:

Sunday - jam session at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green; Monday - Nina and Karl, Fine and Mellow, the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street; Tuesday - the Phoenix; Wednesday - jam session, Black Swan, Peasholme Green; Thursday's packet of three - Don Lodge Band/Mardi Gras Band, alternating at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, Jazz in the Sticks with Jools and Karl Mullen, alternating at the Farmers Inn, Brafferton Helperby and piano jazz at the Pizza Express, Museum Street; Friday - piano jazz at the Pizza Express, plus Blues at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green; Saturday - piano jazz at the Pizza Express.

Pianist Nikki Iles tonight brings her trio to Wakefield Jazz on a tour to promote her new album Everything I Love. Nikki brings Canadian friends Duncan Hopkins (bass) and Anthony Michell (drums) with her to Wakefield. Details from 01977 680542.

The Old Fashioned Love Band inexplicably aims to recreate the New Orleans style of Bunk Johnson and George Lewis. If that is your thing, check out Jazz in the Spa, The Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa. Details from 01937 842544.

Pauline Black was in the Two Tone band Selector, but she won the Time Out Best Actress Award for her role as Billie Holiday. In company with Nick Welsh she performs as Selector Acoustic on Sunday at the Hull Truck Theatre. Details from 01482 323638.

Dave Gelly of The Observer has described trumpeter Damon Brown as "a genuinely exciting new voice in European jazz". Judge for yourself at Scarborough Jazz on Tuesday, details from 01723 379818.

Shades Of Cuba, directed by Omar Puente, will be a swinging night featuring the Latin bands of the Leeds College of Music on Thursday (17th). Details from 0113 222 3434.

Jim Mullen may be British (born Glasgow), but is long-regarded as a world-class guitarist. His new album, Gig Bag (Diving Duck Records) demonstrates just why and features his Organ Trio. Of the twelve tracks, three are originals by Mullen and four are by Hammond organist Mike Gorman.

Mullen's Strayhorn, is a tribute to the great composer, followed by a happily loping The Duke (Dave Brubeck).

The jazz waltz El Jo is Gorman's tip of the hat to Elvin Jones and the only standard in the mix is Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, taken at a brisk lick.

Puccini on a jazz album ? Nessun Dorma may be an unlikely choice, but it works immaculately as Jim plays the familiar theme with his customary warm vibrato.

Another surprising choice perhaps, but The Immigrant Theme from The Godfather II is a cracking ballad and film composers don't come any better than Nino Rota. Gig Bag - bag it now! mail@divingduck.co.uk

Updated: 15:30 Thursday, March 10, 2005