THE Friday night news is that there are two treats in store on November 28, but the bad news is that you will have to make a choice. Here is the eenie meenie.

First, Wakefield Jazz presents the sublime David Newton Trio. John Dankworth's judgement that he is a "national treasure" gets a thumbs-up from the rest of us. Details from 01924 782339. Jazz at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, is the second temptation, in the form of the Al Wood Big Band, call 01423 504005 for details.

The Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra is a favourite in the York Barbican music programme and singer Ruby Turner is one of Jool's favourites. This Sunday, Ruby brings her own band into the Hull Truck Theatre as part of the J Night Winter season. Jamaica-born Ruby Turner is a diva performer blessed with a voice that has been likened to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. The number to call is 01482 323638.

Howdenshire Live Arts is one of those inspired local organisations which pioneers the best in live music, not too long a drive from where you live. Tomorrow night (29th), Howden Live at the Shire Hall presents the down-home Delta blues of The Spikedrivers, with exciting vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation. Details from 01430 431535 (9-5pm) or 01430 431488.

Pat McCarthy is revered as one of the best jazz guitarists around and he works just as well in solo or group settings. Over recent months, Pat has appeared across our region with his own quintet, with Jamie Sheriff's Octet and as a solo. On Tuesday, Pat comes as solo guitarist to Scarborough Jazz @ Scholars. Details: 01723 379818.

Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn is one of the longest-running jazz clubs in our region, thanks to the enthusiasm of organiser Ken Ford. On Wednesday, Ken presents General Cluster, a six-piece band which draws together musicians from three cities in the North Yorkshire region. From York, Ian Chalk (trumpet/flugelhorn); from Hull Baz Hewland (vibraphone); from Scarborough Steve Whitehead (saxes) and Mike Gordon (piano) and Bob Malinowski (bass). Call Hulljazz on 01482 492868.

The jazz vocal market has become crowded with young women singers and now it seems to be the turn of young men - Michael Buble, Peter Cincotti and Jamie Cullum have all weighed in with new albums.

Now comes the not-so-young Steve Tyrell, who up until 1999 had spent 30 years on the production side of recording and whose latest album, This Guy's In Love (Columbia), has just been released. The voice is beguilingly lived-in and the Tyrell treatment reveals many happy surprises as he re-phrases the Great American songbook. Bob Mann's country-tinged guitar opens the album with Rodgers and Hart's Isn't It Romantic, then a full string orchestra surges gently behind the vocal.

The country-tinged piano on the title song is by composer Bacharach himself, who also guests on Tyrell's take on the hit the great Burt wrote for Dusty Springfield, I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

Go to the website stevetyrell.com for a taster of this warm, characterful and expressive voice and be charmed into the full album, This Guy's In Love.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, November 28, 2003