Jazz Preview: Greenwood's merry band smile at festive link

At first glance We Free Kings, at the enterprising HX7 Club in Hebden Bridge on Thursday, might seem an unabashed attempt to cash in on Christmas but the link is tenuous, if eye-catching.The name is from the title track of a 1962 Roland Kirk album and was adopted by a sextet led by the Leeds-based saxophonist Toby Greenwood which has already made one album and has another on the way.

Club organiser Dave Nelson promises Yuletide inspired jazz by himself at the piano – and a festive atmosphere on the night. The band has Kevin Holborough on trombone, Mark Chandler on flugelhorn, Dave Walsh on drums, Richard Hammond on bass and Paul Kilvington on piano.

Expect spirited echoes of Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Carla Bley. But no detectable influence by Bethlehem nobility.

The Christmas party season gathers momentum. Jazz Yorkshire award winners Jazz in the Spa celebrate with the Harlem Hot Stompers at Boston Spa tomorrow night and Al Morrison's Blues Experience will play for Seven Jazz revellers in Leeds on Sunday afternoon.

Lyn Acton sets the Yuletide mood at Hull's lively Pave on Sunday afternoon. Jenny Smith and the ubiquitous Watermelon Men hold court at Harrogate Jazz Club on Tuesday as the Savannah Jazz Band close a thriving year for Leeds Jazz Club.

HX7 Club, Hebden Bridge, 01422 843315; Jazz in the Spa, Boston Spa, 01937 842544; Pave, Hull, 01482 333181; Harrogate Jazz Club, West Park Hotel, 01423 524471; Leeds Jazz Club, Armley Conservative Club, 0113 252 3844.