DON Weller is a national treasure and he will be appearing tonight at Wakefield Jazz with his electric octet, Relapse.

His tenor saxophone has been heard with all sorts of different bands, from Alan Price to Gil Evans, and this band is a revival of an eight-piece which Don formed in the 1970s, Major Surgery (hence the quipping title of the new band). Find a copy of Jazz UK magazine, in which there is a terrific article on Don Weller written by Brian Blain and call Wakefield Jazz on 01924 782339 for more details on Relapse.

Friday jazz is also firmly re-established in Harrogate at the Cairn Hotel. Tonight's guest is singer Anita Wardell, with Grant Spencer's Trio and Bill Charleson on tenor saxophone. Details on 01423 504005.

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to female vocalists and tomorrow's presentation at the Shire Hall, Howden is Tina May, from the top drawer of British talent. The jazz bush telegraph has ensured that audiences for jazz in Howden are continuing to grow, with people travelling from Leeds, Scarborough, York and Hull. Call Mike Smith on 01430 431535/431488 for tickets and information.

Also tomorrow, Jazz at the Crown, Boston Spa, ploughs its revivalist furrow with New Orleans Wiggle, a band from the Pennine area. Details from 01937 842544.

In York, the Sunday afternoon session at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, runs from around 1.30pm and features vocalist Joan Whitehead.

The Modest Jazz Quartet emerges blinking into the light to play at the Three Legged Mare, High Petergate, York, on Sunday at 8.30pm. Pianist Paul Kind reckons the pub is a place "where West Coast cool meets North Sea Cold" and he is amassing a folder of press reviews for the MJQ. An example from Paul's collection - "If the MJQ were any cooler, they would need a plumber." (Dynarod Extra).

Scarborough Jazz at Scholars Bar presents Stuart McDonald on saxophone, with the Mike Gordon Trio. Details from 01723 379818.

On Wednesday, Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn presents Al Wood's Tribute to Benny Carter. Al is a rare multi-instrumentalist, able to alternate on reeds and trumpet with equal artistry over an evening and is therefore uniquely able to fulfil Benny's similar talent. Al will be accompanied by the Ken Marley Trio and the concert will be funded by the Arts Council of England (Yorkshire). Call 01482 492868 for more details.

There are two more jazz choices on Wednesday, with Trad at the Pickering Jazz Club, the Beansheaf Hotel (01723 859495) and Latin Jazz at the Leeds College of Music Recital Room with Grupo X (0113 222 3434).

Three important dates for your diary are Wednesday, November 19, and Saturday and Sunday November 22 and 23. These are the dates for the next York International J Night Series. More details over coming weeks, but you can discover more from those nice people at Creative Arts Promotion on 01759 303454.

Jamil Sheriff has become one of the most talked-about young pianists in Yorkshire and his Octet has had a busy summer, playing at festivals as diverse as Wigan, Hull and Cleethorpes. The band's new CD Daydreams has now been released. The eight tracks are an immaculate group concept and Jamil's compositions use the full dynamic range of the Octet, from full-blown, richly textured ensembles to stripped-down solo sections.

Sly Dog Blues opens with a wild communal introduction reminiscent of the exhilarating ensembles of Loose Tubes, settles into a swaggering Dr John-style groove and then to a fast, double-time swing.

Home Come'In has a spiritual, 3/4 time lilt, with a guitar/piano voicing in Pat Metheny mode and a fine trumpet solo from Andrew Colman.

Moochin has a decisive Latin American feel, with rich ensembles, intricate horn and rhythm lines and a feisty alto solo from Joel Purnell. The group is completed by Zoltan Dekany (bass), John Perry (drums), Pat McCarthy (guitar) Ben Martin (flute & tenor saxophone) and Kevin Holbrough (trombone).

This is intelligent and original music and it is highly accessible as well as being beautifully recorded. There are many post-bop influences, balancing disciplined, through-composed sections with articulate solos from some of the best young musicians in the country.

Little wonder that there are long queues for the CD wherever the Jamil Sheriff Octet plays. You can buy it from Jumbo Records, Leeds and at Borders Leeds branch.

Updated: 09:54 Friday, October 03, 2003