THE big Cleethorpes Beachcomber Jazz Weekend begins on September 12 and features the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Don Weller, Clark Tracey and the Andy Panayi/Mark Nightingale Quartet.

On September 13, the Jamil Sheriff Octet brings together the best of our region's musicians, including Pat McCarthy (guitar) and John Perry (drums) and the Octet's debut album will be released to coincide with the Jazz Weekend. Call 01472 812666 for more details.

Friday night jazz returns to the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, tonight (12th) and the new season begins with South African-born vocalist Esther Miller, who was such a hit of the last season at the Majestic. Esther will bring her own Birmingham-based band, with some challenging arrangements by pianist Gerry Spencer. Call the Cairn Hotel on 01423 504005 and for more on Esther go to www.esthermiller.co.uk

Your Friday jazz hat trick of choices is made even more difficult by the appearance of Alan Barnes' Splanky's Gang at Wakefield Jazz. This will be a one-off event for this band, which includes Peter King, Clark Tracey, Alex Garnett and Dave Green. More details from 01924 782339.

York's long-established Modernaires Orchestra provides the opportunity of dancing to the big band sound at the Folk Hall, New Earswick tonight. I hear great reports of a couple of new arrangements written by one of the band's stalwart members, Ray Cooper. Ray has taken a Kenny Graham tune from a 1958 Humphrey Lytteleton LP, the House That Humph Built, and expanded it for the big band, plus a transcription of an Oliver Nelson blues, Full Nelson. For more information on the Modernaires, call Peter Mouncey on 01904 410507.

Tomorrow night Jazz at the Crown, Boston Spa, presents the Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band, from the North East. After 16 years of Saturday night jazz, the club is being forced to move, due to the pub being redeveloped. Organisers Tim Mallinson and Les Brown are seeking suggestions from anyone who can help this successful club to find a new home. For more information, or any useful suggestions, call Tim on 01937 842544.

If you prefer your jazz nearer the cutting edge, make your way tomorrow night to that most enterprising of venues, the Band Room at Farndale, for the only Northern appearance of Medboe McKenzie. This duo specializes in the ECM, ambient style made famous by such as Bill Frisell and Jan Garbarek. Tickets and information from 0207 272 4406.

On Tuesday, Scarborough Jazz at Scholars limbers up for the big event, the Scarborough Jazz Festival, which runs from September 19-21 in the Spa complex. Tuesday's session at Scholars Bar is one of the Fringe events and features the exciting local six-piece band, General Cluster. Organiser Mike Gordon tells me that the first batch of their debut CD has almost gone. Further Fringe events are at Beiderbeckes's Hotel and vying for your attention on Tuesday is Andy Sheppard. Pianist/singer Jamie Cullum is at Beiderbecke's on Wednesday and Jaqui Dankworth on Thursday.

The festival proper opens next Friday at the Spa complex with Pat McCarthy, Julian Joseph, Clare Teal and Dave O'Higgins Sextet with the JazzCotech Dancers. The full programme for the rest of the weekend is:

SATURDAY: Julie Edwards, Just East Of Jazz, Snake Davis Band, The Pascale Michaelis/Bruce Adams Quintet, Alan Barnes & David Newton and Alex Wilson's R & B Latino.

SUNDAY: Ben Crosland & Martin Shaw, Urban Connection with Dave O'Higgins, Clare Martin and Ian Shaw, Annie Whitehead Band, Jim Mullen Organ Trio and Monica Vasconcelos & Nois. The festival is compered by Alan Barnes.

Updated: 09:46 Friday, September 12, 2003