Jazz has undergone something of a revolution in recent months, with Jamie Cullum achieving coveted mainstream recognition.

But last night it was the turn of the master, veteran Courtney Pine, stopping off in York on his world tour promoting his new album Devotion.

"Everyone who believes me that music brings people together, make some noise," he said, as he began to draw his lively set to a close.

Anyone remaining quiet would have been doing a disservice to themselves - and Pine's talent and enthusiasm.

The audience was as varied as it gets - children aged as young as seven with their parents, students, family outings and music fans of an even older generation pushing the 60s and 70s. And everyone had fun.

Despite some overlong freeform in the opening two numbers that seemed to test the patience of many in the audience, any signs of the pretension often associated with the music style were out of the window as Pine and his band combined for an amazing sound.

Guitarist Cameron Pierre surely earned himself a few extra CD sales with two outstanding numbers, including a section from Michael Jackson's Why, while pianist Chris Jerome proved himself equally spectacular.

And there was the man himself. A supreme talent, who swapped between his two saxophones and even playing the two simultaneously with ease, to create an incredible range of notes that he melded into the mix of the six-piece band.

In his encore, he had every single member of the crowd on their feet, fists aloft, jumping to the beat as he wooed them with Sweet Like Chocolate and closed with UK.

One woman, celebrating her 22nd birthday, told Pine she had seen him 11 years ago. With a performance like that, York will be hoping he is back in another 11 years, if not much much sooner.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, May 28, 2004