J-Night returns to York this weekend with 20 of the brightest stars in the British jazz firmament. This will be the biggest jazz event in York so far this year, the Dune Jazz Festival, Dune being the recording company home of world class British jazz players.

Tonight's (29th) Tribute To Billie Holiday features Zara McFarlane, with Denys Baptiste, Abram Wilson and Soweto Kinch in a terrific six-piece band. Tomorrow's matinee at 5.30pm has the Soweto Kinch Band with Abram Wilson and the weekend rounds off in exciting style with the 12-piece Jazz Jamaica in Motown Reloaded at 8.30pm.

"Britain now has its own rival to the Buena Vista Social Club. See them now before the rest of the world grabs them," enthused the Guardian. The crucial difference is that the Dune artists are considerably younger than the Cubans and come loaded with international awards. BBC Jazz Awards, Mercury Music Prize, Mobo Prize, Montreux Jazz Festival Award - and that's just the bundle amassed by young Soweto Kinch.

The weekend festival has been funded jointly by Arts Council England, City of York Council and the Alf Peacock memorial Fund.

Booking is at the Theatre Royal Box Office (01904 623568) and a season ticket for all three concerts is available.

The Dune Festival should get you in the mood for the Hull International Festival, which runs from tomorrow to Sunday August 7. The fast-rising brother/sister piano duo Jamil and Naadia Sheriff bring their band to the Goodfellowship Inn, Cottingham Road, in a festival exclusive on Sunday at 7.30pm.

BBC Jazz Vocalist of 2004 Ian Shaw and Clare Teal perform another Festival exclusive on Tuesday at the Hull Truck Theatre. The unique trio Back Door were rocketed to international prominence in the early 1970s, when they shared a three-week stint with Chick Corea's band at the Ronnie Scott Club.

On Wednesday (3rd) the band will be at the Goodfellowship, with Rod Mason replacing the late Ron Aspery on saxophone.

You will have a second opportunity to catch the Jazz Jamaica Motown Reloaded package at the Hull Truck Theatre on Saturday August 6 and there will be free concerts in the City Centre Queens Gardens tomorrow and on Sunday.

Details on all events are at the Festival Booking Office on 01482 323638.

Trad fans will note that Jazz in the Spa will present the Savannah Jazz Band tomorrow night.

The venue is the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa, details from 01937 842544.

Spoilt for choice next week, Scarborough Jazz will tempt you with Alan Barnes and Clare Hirst next Tuesday.

"A bit cheeky to ask Clare and Alan to do a gig in the middle of their Scarborough holiday," said Club organiser Mike Gordon. "But what a treat for local jazz fans to hear two such outstanding saxophonists at the give-away price of £2 !" Details from 01723 379818.

Jools Slater's Ventura are currently in the studio recording their first album, but you can hear their unplugged blues and jazz live on Tuesday in York at the Phoenix, George Street.

The usual open mic session will run from around 10pm. Jools and the band will be playing for a special summer barbecue at the Three Hares, Bilbrough's noted eatery next Sunday. Details from 01937 832128 and info@thethreehares.co.uk.

Acoustic Ladyland won the Best Band gong at this year's BBC Jazz Awards and their second album, Last Chance Disco (Babel) is getting a lot of airplay and rave reviews.

"When was the last time a jazz record made you want to pogo like a lunatic or made you laugh out loud ?"

Can you believe that was verdict of The Telegraph of hitherto staid repute ?

Acoustic Ladyland have embarked upon a national tour and they will swing into the Rock venue, York Fibbers, Stonebow, next Friday.

This must-hear band is part of the ground-breaking F-IRE Collective. Go to www.F-IRE.com for more details.

Updated: 16:27 Thursday, July 28, 2005