SAXOPHONIST Tommy Smith is one of a number of distinguished Brits lucky enough to get into the prestigious Berklee School of Music, USA.

What singles him out from most is the fairytale story of how he was funded - by his neighbours and other residents of his Wester Hailes housing estate in Edinburgh. Over many months they held raffles, dances and car boot sales to pay young Tommy through his course.

While at Berklee he led his own bands and worked with the then-superstar Gary Burton Quintet. More recently, in 1996 he was appointed director of music at the Scottish National Jazz Institute and in intervening years has released a clutch of CDs with various ensembles.

Tonight, (28th) the Tommy Smith Quartet comes to Wakefield Jazz, a rare chance to hear this ground-breaking young musician. Details from 01977 680542.

A further feast of international tenor saxophone virtuosity arrives in Boston Spa tomorrow night (29th). Always a highlight of Jazz in the Spa, the American Scott Hamilton makes his annual visit, backed by local stars the Brian Layton Trio. Hamilton is often described as a "young fogey" in that although born into the post-Beatles generation, he has gone back to the mainstream tradition of Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster for his inspiration. He is a warm and gifted improviser who always gives value for money by playing up a storm. The venue is the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa, details from 01937 842544.

Scarborough Jazz must rival Jazz in the Spa for longevity, but tends to concentrate on a more modern jazz music policy, without going too far into the "fire in the pet shop" area of contemporary jazz.

Over recent years, an exciting new band has emerged in Scarborough. General Cluster is a six-piece band of local musicians drawn from Scarborough, York and Hull, which mixes impressive arrangements of standards with original compositions by band members. With a piano, bass and drums rhythm section, the front line is Ian Chalk (York-trumpet/flugelhorn), Steve Whitehead (Scarborough-reeds) and Baz Hewland (Hull-vibraphone). On Tuesday, General Cluster will appear at Scarborough Jazz at Schlars Bar. Details from Marian and Mike (01723 379818).

I started on the theme of tenor saxophone, so I'll finish with some dates for your diary for a player previously from York. Tenor saxophonist Rob Lavers cut his jazz teeth in various groups playing in and around York. Now based in London, he has won the support of the Arts Council-funded Jazz Services to mount a short national tour, which will come to Yorkshire in February.

Put the following dates for the Rob Lavers Quartet into your diary: February 19 City Screen, York; February 20 Sparrow Hawk, Burnley; February 22 Puzzle Hall Inn, Halifax; February 22 Trustees Hall, Boston Spa.

Updated: 15:10 Thursday, January 27, 2005