Oscar Peterson is one of the last remaining masters from the modern jazz revolution of the middle of the last century.

Although he did not serve the customary apprenticeship as a side-man, Peterson is a superlative accompanist.

However, the piano trio is his real mtier and as he approaches his 80th year, and in spite of a stroke in 1993, he does not rest on his laurels. His new CD, A Night In Vienna (Verve) was recorded in November 2003 as homage to his favourite make of piano, Bosendorfer.

Because of Oscar's long association with Bosendorfer he was the first choice of artist for a gala concert recording to mark the company's 175th anniversary. Seven of the nine selections are Peterson compositions and rather than a barnstorming concert opener, Oscar chooses a quiet, reflective piece, Nighttime.

He follows with a gentle, modest ballad, When Summer Comes, written during a long winter in his native Canada and then moves up a notch with the lively Cakewalk. Here he adopts a frequent gambit of having the melody filled out with unison piano and guitar (the terrific Ulf Wakenius) and the chords thickened by the athletic bass of Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson.

On his eventual return to performing after his stroke, Oscar began by playing with one hand only, so the accompanying DVD will show if this could still be the case.

Oscar also shares out the solos among the other three musicians, which gives him a breather.

Wakenius comes to the fore again in a sparkling two-minute guitar/piano duel, which introduces an up-tempo Sweet Georgia Brown, a high point of the concert.

There is a mighty keyboard of a different kind at Wakefield Jazz tonight, with the Hammond organ-driven Mike Carr's Blue Note Band. More details on 01977 680542.

Jazz in the Spa tomorrow night presents Dixieland with Jim Wilkes Stompers. Details on 01937 842544.

The regular jam session at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green is hosted by the house band, including George Hall and Trevor King, and Monday's session at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, is with Nina Zagorski and Karl Mullen.

On Tuesday trumpeter/flugelhorn player Ian Chalk emerges from the Huge horn section to join with Steve Whitehead (clarinet and saxophones) at Scarborough Jazz at Scholars Bar. Ian will be taking guest bass player Paul Baxter and drummer Dave Cook from the famed Black Swan jam sessions. More details on 01723 379818.

Alternatively, for jazz at the sharper end, head for the Wardrobe in Leeds for Harrison on Harrison. Guitarist, composer andvocalist Joel Harrison's music cross-references jazz with African, Indian and contemporary classical and he has twice won the Jazz Composer's Alliance Jazz Composition Competition. This new project gives a new jazz spin to Beatle George Harrison's compositions and features saxophonist Julian Arguelles. More details on Leeds Jazz on 0113 269 4077.

The second York Black Swan jam session is on Wednesday and Bejazzled continue their long-standing residency at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, on Thursday. Also on Thursday Jazz in the Sticks at the Farmer's Inn, Brafferton Helperby, features Nina and Karl as Fine and Mellow.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, October 22, 2004