YORK was in carnival mood last Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to City Of York Council and the many local partners involved, York Live music festival (running until May 31) got off to a rousing start.

World music was the theme on Saturday and on Sunday the mini Asian mela market was augmented by the Bollywood Brass Band and dancers. The 16-page York Live music festival brochure is available around the town with full details of all events over the rest of the month.

Who would have imagined that a gig by American superstar drummer Billy Cobham would be advertised for York? It's all down to those nice J Night people and tomorrow night the Billy Cobham and Art of Five will be blowing up a storm at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York. Not surprisingly, this sold out some time ago, but you can avoid disappointment on the next J Night presentations if you call now.

On May 27, Courtney Pine will be appearing at the Theatre Royal and American pianist Jessica Williams will be playing just two dates in Britain, the Royal Festival Hall and the Walmgate venue on Saturday May 29.

Dennis Rollins Badbone & Co sold out the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall last November and now the trombone-led jazz-funk band will be at Temple Hall, York St Johns College on May 30. Phone J Night on: 01904 658338.

If you enjoy the Snake Davis Band, you will find more of the same soulful, funky mix with Protect The Beat at Wakefield Jazz tonight. Snake's bass player Winston Blissett is part of the mix and the quintet is fronted by Derek Nash (saxophones). This is an all-star affair, with musicians who have played with Massive Attack, Dave Grusin, Steve Winwood and Sting.

Wakefield Jazz is advertising tickets for May 28, when the long-standing co-vocalists from The Blues Band, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly, will be boogying on down. This will be a ticket-only gig, details from 01924 782339.

Karen Sharp is a comparative newcomer to the British jazz scene, but has wasted little time in making a name for herself. She has just become a permanent member of the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, following the retirement of Kathy Stobart.

Tomorrow night Karen will be in solo glory at Jazz in the Spa, the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa. The backing trio doesn't come much better - Brian Layton (piano), Ken Marley (bass) and John Perry (drums). "Pack the house for this talented musician, who'll still be playing long after most of us are gone," is the unfortunate come-on in the Jazz at the Spa flyer. If you can move the zimmer quick enough, call 01937 842544 for more details.

On Tuesday, Scarborough Jazz will present the Little Big Band, led by trombonist Mike Smith, playing some great jazz standards. Details from 01723 379818.

Leeds Jazz is always quick to pick up on tours by international musicians and next week there are two goodies. On Tuesday, Wolfgang Muthspiel brings his Air Love & Vitamins tour to the only date outside of London. The Austrian-born guitarist appears with his trio, which includes Wayne Shorter's drummer Brian Blade.

On Wednesday, Leeds Jazz brings the greatest electric bass player in jazz, Steve Swallow, as a member of Bobby Previte's Bump. This is something of a supergroup. Alongside leader Previte's drums, Curtis Fowlkes takes trombone duties, Marty Ehrlich plays tenor saxophone and Wayne Horwitz is the pianist. For more details call 0113 274 2486.

Updated: 09:36 Friday, May 07, 2004