FIRST of all, my apologies to Karl Mullen and his band, who stood in for the Mardi Gras Band at the Old White Swan last night.

Owing to my being abducted by aliens last week, my time/space continuum was interrupted and my brain put into a bell-jar on a shelf for the crucial hour or so I spent writing last week's Jazz Notes. Sorry Karl and band, I am sure things went swimmingly.

The high profile of jazz at the Harrogate Festival continues this weekend with Clare Teal at the Harrogate Theatre (tonight - 30th) and a return visit of Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Orchestra (Sunday - 1st).

Clare Teal is the latest in the series of jazz singers who are making headlines by virtue of their multi-million pound record deals, previously only awarded to pop artists. In Clare's case, the mazuma providers are Sony Music. Clare is a long-time favourite with Yorkshire audiences, not least since she comes from the Keighley area.

For more information on all of the above call the ticket hotline on 01423 537230 or go to www.harrogate-festival.org.uk

Like buses that come along in twos, running alongside the Harrogate Festival is the Hull International Jazz Festival, which opens tomorrow (31st) with a free-entry Jazz in Queens Gardens session.

On Sunday there is another free session of big band and Trad, with the Mike Brown Orchestra and Phil Mason's Band. Other highlights include:

Claire Martin & Ian Shaw (Tuesday), Mike Carr's Blue Note band (Wednesday), Bireli Lagrene (Thursday) and Denys Baptiste's International supergroup (Friday).

The weekend finale offers the James Taylor Quartet (Saturday, August 7), and three terrific sessions on Sunday, August 8 featuring guitarist Pat McCarthy in duo and six-piece mode and Ray Gelato at Hull Truck Theatre. More details from 01482 223559 or go to www.hulljazzfestival.co.uk

Jazz in the Spa has been running for more than 15 years on a mainly Trad ticket. Tomorrow night's presentation is the Rae Brothers' New Orleans Jazz Band at the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa. More information from 01937 842544.

The Sunday night jam session continues in York at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green.

On Monday (2nd), Nina and Karl play it Fine and Mellow at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, York.

On Tuesday (3rd), Scarborough Jazz at Scholars welcomes back an old favourite in the form of saxophonist/flautist/vocalist Jon Taylor. Call Marian and Mike on 01723 379818 for details.

Diana Krall's frequent outings into the world of bossa nova have been echoed by recent re-releases from Sade and Swing Out Sister. Jazz fans warm to their pleasant borrowings from elements of jazz. Now we have a new one from Matt Bianco, Matt's Mood (Emarcy), another band known for its enthusiastic Latin American rhythms and guest jazz soloists. The Latin gamut is well explored, from the gentle opening, a hip-swinging track Ordinary Day, through to the cruising-down-the-freeway Fender Rhodes on the final track, Matt's Mood. Guest soloists include Kevin Robinson on trumpet, tasty flute and saxophone from Andrew Ross and Tony Remy on guitar.

The late Ronnie Ross played probably the best-known baritone saxophone solo in pop, on Lou Reed's Walk On The Wild Side. He was also featured on Matt Bianco's first album Whose Side Are You On and as a tribute to the distinguished Scot the band have incorporated some of his old recorded solos into three of their new songs. The tribute extends to a new tune Ronnie's Samba, with another stirring baritone solo.

The vocals throughout, by Basia and Mark Reilly, are every bit as beguiling and laid back as Sade and some of the songs, such as Say The Words, are almost in the Stevie Wonder bracket. File under Feelgood Music, perfect for warm summer nights.

Updated: 15:47 Thursday, July 29, 2004