BIG NEWS 1: The Stan Tracey Quartet, featuring Don Weller, will be at the Hovingham Village Hall, on Thursday (24th). Stan Tracey OBE is one of Britain's greatest jazz musicians, ex-House Pianist at Ronnie Scott's Club. Probably a sell-out, but try calling 01653 668494 for returns.

BIG NEWS 2: Two of the best vocalists on the international scene at Scarborough Jazz on Tuesday (22nd). Scarborough organisers Marian and Mike dined at the Pizza on the Park, London, last year and bandied cross-table chat with vocalists Anita Wardell and Tina May. As a result, on Tuesday you can hear both vocalists with a star-studded backing trio at Scholars Bar. Details from 01723 379818.

BIG NEWS 3: The 2005 spring season for Leeds Jazz opens on Monday (21st) with Cyro Baptista's Beat The Donkey. Animal Rights activists can relax - this is a ten-piece percussion-led ensemble and Brazilian Baptista mixes instruments from USA, India and Africa with his own. Baptista has worked with Herbie Hancock, Dr John and Robert Palmer, to name a few. Tickets from Jumbo Records, St John's Centre, Leeds, or email dave.gadd7@ntlworld.com

BIG NEWS 4: The Tim Garland Quartet will be at the Venue, Leeds College of Music, on Thursday (24th). Saxophonist Tim is Artist In Residence at Leeds College and Composer In Residence at Newcastle University. Box Office 0113 222 3434.

BAD NEWS: Ex-Yorkie saxophone player Rob Lavers has had tomorrow night's gig (19th) pulled by City Screen. Rob is touring nationally with his quartet, with hard-won sponsorship from Jazz Services, the jazz arm of Arts Council England. City Screen manager Tony Wood claimed that the date was pre-booked for a private party, which was never entered in the bookings diary and regrettably turned a deaf 'un to Rob's pleas. The Rob Lavers Quartet tour continues on Sunday (20th) at the Sparrowhawk Hotel, Burnley; Puzzle Hall, Halifax (01422 835547, Tuesday); Hulljazz at The Goodfellowship Inn (Wednesday); and the Trustees Hall, Boston Spa on Saturday February 26 (01937 842544).

Tonight, Wakefield Jazz presents the Gwyneth Herbert Band. Signed by the massive Universal Jazz for a massive fee, Gwyneth will bring to Wakefield a similar band to the one she brought to the Scarborough Jazz Festival last year, featuring John Paricelli on guitar. Details from 01977 680542.

Tomorrow's band at Boston Spa is the John Hallam Jazztet, with "an evening of sensitive but stimulating interpretations of standards", details as for the Trustees Hall above.

Also tomorrow (19th), Howden Live at the Shire Hall, Market Place, presents Grapelli-style jazz violinist Tim Kliphuis. Having played with Bucky Pizzarelli and guitar legend Les Paul, Tim brings his own Quartet, which includes Len Skeat (bass) and Bobby Worth (drums). Box Office 01430 431535.

Karl Mullen and Nina Zagorski will be playing Fine and Mellow at the Harrogate Brasserie on Sunday night and at York's Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street on Monday (21st).

Updated: 10:02 Friday, February 18, 2005