Jazz Preview: The bottom line about bassist's comeback

Bassist Mick Hutton continues his return from a career-threatening injury with appearances with his group in Leeds and Sheffield next week. Hutton has played with a diverse range of musicians in the past 25 years – from Humphrey Lyttelton, Kenny Wheeler and Nigel Kennedy to Bill Bruford, Gary Husband and Lee Konitz – while establishing a reputation as one of Europe's finest players.

But the future looked ominous in 2004 when he tore a ligament in his left hand. He underwent surgery, was unable to play double bass for several years and had to learn a new left hand technique.

Now there is a touch of steel pan percussion in his repertoire as he tours with a band completed by saxophonist Don Weller, pianist Mark Edwards and drummer Paul Robinson. They can be heard at the Seven Arts Centre in Leeds on Thursday and the Millennium Hall, Sheffield next Friday.

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Returning to last week's theme about the efforts of clubs to absorb the effect of cuts in arts funding, Sheffield Jazz have taken the benevolent step of inviting members who are eligible for discount prices to pay the full amount – if they can afford it!

One of the region's success stories, the HX7 club in Hebden Bridge, celebrates its first birthday next Thursday with a bill including the Ben Crosland Quartet. And the splendid flamenco-jazz guitarist Eduardo Niebla will be displaying his fleet-fingered skills at Otley Courthouse tomorrow.

Seven Arts Centre, 0113 2626777, www. sevenleeds.co.uk; HX7 club, 01422 843315, www.hx7jazz.com; Otley Courthouse 01943 467466, www.otleycourthouse.co.uk.