Jazz Preview: Jazz Yorkshire looks forward to awards ceremony

The first event of its kind covers the whole gamut of jazz in the region from performers to venues, newcomers to lifetime achievers and educators. Some 70 candidates have been short-listed in 16 categories. Even journalists get a look in.

"At this time of uncertainty over funding for the arts, it is a great pleasure to celebrate all the wonderful jazz activity that takes place in our region," said Martin Coultas, chairman of Jazz Yorkshire.

After the presentation ceremony, Alan Barnes and Dave Newton – two of the most popular musicians in British jazz who both studied at Leeds College of Music – will perform with award winners. A thoroughly enjoyable evening is in prospect.

Two of the contenders for awards can be heard this weekend, beginning with Jenni Molloy's Bach ReLoaded at Bradford Irish Club tonight.

Bassist Molloy and her colleagues Stuart McDonald on soprano and tenor saxophones and Chris Sykes on drums have been nominated for album of the year for their widely acclaimed reworking of Bach themes.

Home of the Brave, one of five nominations for band of the year, play at the Square Chapel in Halifax tomorrow.

Themes from some of the great Western films of the Fifties and Sixties are the unusual source of inspiration for a quartet which has saxophonist Richard Ormrod holding the reins and Paul Hession on drums, gunshots and horses.