THANKS to everyone who turned up for the concert by the Mardi Gras Band in Rowntree Park last Monday.

It was sponsored by the York branch of the Musicians' Union in aid of Amnesty International. More than 170 people braved the odd spot of rain, but eventual sunshine, for two hours of jollity and contributed generously; more than £100 was collected for an excellent cause.

Wakefield Jazz returns tonight (3rd) after the summer break, with the Founder's Day Band. This is a collection of star British names, led by Alan Barnes, who are all friends and favourites at Wakefield. Joining Alan will be Andy Panayi and the fabulous David Newton. For details phone 01944 680542.

Tomorrow night (4th) Jazz in the Spa presents Mart Roger Manchester Jazz. The venue is the Trustees Hall, High Street, and you can find more details from 01937 842544.

The refreshingly younger torch-bearers of York jazz continue their regular jam sessions on Sunday night at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green. The fears that jazz is increasingly in the hands of grey wrinklies is dispelled by the sight of such musicians as James Lancaster, Dave Hardy and Paul Baxter. The second jam session, on Wednesday nights at the Black Swan, is also refreshed by younger musicians such as Karl Mullen and friends.

Karl and partner, Nina Zagorski, have a regular Monday night slot as Fine and Mellow, at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York.

I notice that The Pitcher and Piano is putting on the occasional jazz-oriented gig on Tuesdays. Call 01904 658580 for details.

Scarborough Jazz has been on the go for more than 15 years every Tuesday at Scholar's Bar in the Bedford Hotel. On Tuesday (7th), Allison Hildreth and Mike Wright make a first appearance at the seaside venue. They are a talented vocals/saxophone/guitar combination, covering the music of Stan Getz, John Coltrane and Carmen McCrae, among others. Call 01723 379818 for more details.

Marian and Mike Gordon of Scarborough Jazz are excited about the interest of BBC Radio 3 in their jazz festival (September 17-19 at the Spa Complex). The news is that R3's Jazz Lineup will come live from the festival on Saturday, September 18. Guitarist Martin Taylor will co-present along with one of the usual presenters, Claire Martin, Stacey Kent or Julian Joseph.

The invitation also goes out for anyone wishing to attend the Jazz Forum on Friday, September 17 at 2pm at the Spa Complex. Titled Is There Anybody Listening ? you can air your views and then listen to a free performance by the high-powered Dave Tyas Quartet. You can telephone for more details on 01723 376774/357856.

Jools Slater's Jazz in the Sticks project is at the Farmers Inn, Brafferton Helperby, on Thursday and Hot Knives is the guest band. This is a two guitars and flute group, featuring Richard (Fridge) Lower and Gus Guest, who is a blues/jazz legend, formerly with the 1970s band Horslips.

In York on Thursday, the Mardi Gras Band continues its residency at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York.

Finally, many congratulations to David Porter and Creative Arts Productions, who have been awarded some modest funding from the PRS Jazz Promoters Awards. Filling out the applications for some of these awards is as hair-raising as filling in your personal tax assessment form, so well done, David and team.

Creative Arts are responsible for the exciting programme of J Night presentations in Hull, York and elsewhere. Next week, the J Night Hull presentations will be Nuevo Flamenco on Wednesday and Kiki Dee with guitar maestro Carmelo Luggeri on Friday. Both events are at Hull Truck Theatre, details from 01482 323638.

The next J Night York will be on Saturday, October 2 at the National Centre for Early Music. The band will be the Stan Sulzmann and Marc Copland New York Quartet, more of which nearer to the date, but phone the centre, if you can't wait, on 01904 658338.

Updated: 15:42 Thursday, September 02, 2004