AFTER last night's sell-out at Hovingham Village Hall, the Stan Tracey Quartet swings into Wakefield Jazz tonight (25th) with long-time partner Don Weller on tenor saxophone, Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and son Clark (drums).

Bass player Andy also runs the Trio Records label and has previously recorded Stan at Wakefield Jazz and some of tonight's session may become a future CD. Call 01977 680542 for details.

Also tonight, the University of York Jazz Orchestra will be joined by two guest soloists from the Julian Arguelles Octet, Mike Walker (guitar) and Iain Dixon (saxophone). Guitarist Mike was last seen in our region touring with Jacqui Dankworth's band. Tonight's concert at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall starts at 7.30pm, call 01904 432439 for details.

Guitarist Miles Gilderdale has moved back to York and between his mega gigs in America with Acoustic Alchemy, he teams up with Gavin and Trevor to become The Blueflies. Paradoxically, Acoustic Alchemy sell cartloads of albums and play to audiences of thousands while peddling a brand of gentle, smooth jazz; The Blueflies are a hard rocking three-piece who blow your socks off in small pub venues. Speed over to catch them tomorrow night (26th) at the Roman Bath, York, but you will have to arrive very early.

Ex-York tenor saxophonist Rob Lavers and his Quartet continue their Jazz Services sponsored tour with a session at Jazz in the Spa, Boston Spa, tomorrow night.

Rob has amended his rhythm section, for one night only, to include local pianist Adrian Moorhouse. The programme will be contemporary jazz standards, plus Latin American and some original compositions. Jazz in the Spa is at the Trustees Hall, High Street, and the venue is unlicensed, so you are invited to take along your own drinks. Details from 01937 842544.

Jazz at Boston Spa runs every week. Howden Live may be more sporadic, but is just as enterprising. Chicago guitarist Steve Arvey brings his Bluesmove band to the Shire Hall, Howden, tomorrow night. Details from 01430 431535.

On Saturday and Sunday in York, the National Centre for Early Music will give some insight into the roots of jazz, with the first African Festival Weekend. Ensemble Tartit, the Tuareg Women of the Desert, present their desert blues ballads from the Sahara on Saturday at 7pm, while on Sunday the African ancestral dance group Dade Krame explore the rich, vibrant musical traditions of Tanzania, Ghana and the Gambia.

A York flavour will be added by the City's youngest group of African drummers, The Pocket Drummers, at the National Centre from 2pm on Sunday (27th). You can book for both evenings for £10, details from 01904 658338.

On Tuesday (1st) in York, rising young jazz singer Holly Taymar will be appearing at the Last Drop Inn (details from 01904 621951), while on the same night Keiran White and Katie will be at the Pitcher and Piano (01904 658580).

Leeds Jazz at The Wardrobe on Wednesday features the power organ band Trio Iffy, from New York, featuring Chris Speed (reeds), Ben Perowsky (drums) and Jamie Saft (keyboards). Details from 0113 245 5570.

Lee Gibson is one of Britain's most respected jazz singers and is vocal tutor at the London Guildhall School of Music. On Thursday, Lee brings her quintet to the Venue, Leeds college of Music. The band includes college tutors Graham Hearn (piano) and Al Wood (saxophones, trumpet). Details from the Box Office 0113 222 3434.

Leeds College will once again be hosting the Leeds International Jazz Conference on March 11 and 12. For more information, call Louise Wood 0113 222 3442

Updated: 16:16 Thursday, February 24, 2005