Internationally-renowned French Canadian pianist Katia Labeque is best known for the duets performed with her sister, Marielle.

Together they have recorded more than 20 albums and Katia has performed with the world's leading orchestras, from the Berlin to the New York Philharmonic. Touring and recording with her former partner, John McLaughlin, she attracted the attention of Miles Davis, who wrote a tune dedicated to her on his 1985 album You're Under Arrest.

The Katia Labeque Band made their first UK appearance at the London Jazz Festival last November and you may have caught a couple of appearances by the band from the Festival on BBC4 TV in recent months.

Tonight (16th) the Band will be at North Yorkshire's unique venue, The Shed at Brawby, with Marque Gilmore (drums) and Dave Maric (electronics). Doubtless this will be a sell-out several times over, but if you are feeling lucky telephone The Shed on 01653 668494.

The second big name of the week will be tomorrow (17th), when Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band appears at the York Theatre Royal. Much loved for his chairmanship of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue on BBC Radio 4, Humph will bring his world-famous eight-piece band to the prominent York venue. Tickets are from £13 to £17, but under 25s and students can book for Humph for an amazing £3.50 at the Box Office, phone 01904 623568.

York's most successful musician after John Barry is probably Adrian Macintosh, who has become Humph's longest-serving drummer - more than 20 years.

At the interval CD-selling sessions, Humph has remarked wryly that Adrian's CDs sell more than the leader's. Adrian co-runs the group Trio Time with Ted Beament (piano, who joined Humph in 1995) and John Rees Jones (double bass, most recent Humph recruit).

If Humphrey Lyttelton is a sell-out, try Jazz at the Spa, where the Dave Donohoe Jazz Band will feature the wonderful Frank Brooker on reeds. Call 01937 842544 for more details.

There are two sessions in York on Sunday (18th), with vocalist Joan Whitehead at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane from 3pm to 6pm and the popular jam session at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, from 8.30pm to closing time.

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

General Cluster will be adding lustre to Scholars Bar, the home of Scarborough Jazz on Tuesday.

This distinctive six-piece of trumpet, vibes, saxophone, piano, bass and drums always draws a big audience for its eclectic repertoire and the band's CD sold out in record time. For details, telephone 01723 379818.

John Addy's Some Like It Hot are now in their tenth year at the Old Orleans Bar, Ousegate, York, and their fortnightly session falls on Wednesday (21st).

And for something completely different, try Leeds Jazz on Wednesday, when the Screaming Headless Torsos take the stage at the Wardrobe.

Led by guitarist David "Fuze" Fuiczynski, of whom it has been said: "Fuze sends the bulk of jazz fusion scurrying into the shameful holes from whence it came."

Call Leeds Jazz for more details on 0113 274 2486.

Updated: 08:38 Friday, April 16, 2004