Jazz Preview: Guitarist plays with an Englishman in New York

McKnight’s trio, plus Blake, will play at the Seven Arts Centre , Chapel Allerton , Leeds on Thursday and at the Millennium Hall, Sheffield the following evening.

It is an attractive combination. McKnight, whose trio is completed by Ross Stanley on organ and James Maddren on drums, is one of Ireland’s leading young jazz musicians. He came third in the Montreux international jazz guitar competition three years ago and has continued to win critical acclaim throughout Europe.

Blake was born in England and raised in Vancouver before moving to New York where he has become a mainstay of the Mingus Big Band and recorded with celebrated colleagues.

McKnight and Blake have made a new album which will be launched at Ronnie Scott’s in London at the end of the month.

When the forthcoming Marsden Jazz Festival (October 7-9) commissioned a new piece from Huddersfield composer and bassist Ben Crosland he turned to the sculptures in Yorkshire Sculpture Park for inspiration.

Now visitors to the park are invited to pick up an MP3 player, a map, and walk around the sculptures listening to the music they inspired.

On October 16 there will be a free guided walk with a YSP curator and Ben in attendance to talk about his suite, An Open Place, which will be premiered at Marsden Mechanics on October 8.