FINGERS crossed for fine weather for the Black Swan Music weekend. The City of York Day of Folk will run all day tomorrow (22nd) and the Day of Jazz all day Sunday (23rd), both midday to closing time at 11pm and will feature some of the region's best young bands.

Trumpeter James Lancaster tells me the music will be funded by the famous Black Swan Wednesday raffle held every week, so although entry is free, you can support continuing live jazz at the Black Swan by buying a few tickets.

A marquee will be erected behind the pub and six bands will play, starting with swing from the ten-piece Bugelee from York University, followed by James's babies the Ripon Grammar School Big Band (1.30pm). The regular Wednesday band will feature next (2.45pm), with the two Sunday bands joining forces for a feast of bebop and blues (5pm).

Tradtastic is the dynamic young band led by York showman trombonist Andy Hillier (7pm) and the climax around 8.30pm will be the highly-rated Joel Purnell Quartet - not to be missed.

Tonight's (21st) goodies at Wakefield Jazz are Pete Oxley's Curious Paradise, led Oxley's guitar and Mark Lockheart's saxophones. Expect accessible modern jazz in the Pat Metheny mould, details from 01924 782339.

Tomorrow night Jazz at the Spa presents one of its favourite bands, Jeff Barnhart and the Sporting House Strings. The strings include virtuoso banjo player Spats Langham and the repertoire will be ragtime, stride and humour. Details from 01937 842544.

Nina and Karl play Fine and Mellow at the Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street, on Monday.

The Bourbon Tequila Salsa Jazz Band, who will kick off the Scarborough Jazz Festival on September 15, play a taster gig at Scarborough Jazz at Scholars on Tuesday. They brought the house down the last time they played at Scholars, so a capacity audience is expected. Details from 01723 379818.

On Wednesday (26th), Hulljazz will present everyone's favourite British guitarist, Jim Mullen, with the Organ Trio. Jim's army of loyal fans began to gather around the band he ran in the 1970s and 1980s with tenor saxophonist Dick Morrissey and his short stint in the USA with the Average White Band. The Organ Trio is bang in the Mullen soulful and funky tradition. Details of Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn from 01482 492868.

Updated: 16:14 Thursday, May 20, 2004