UK & Ireland gig choice for 6-12 May

Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra The Grand, Clitheroe Monday 6 May 5pm

Pianist, accordionist, bandleader, composer, arranger, conductor Nikki Iles' Face to Face released last year was a new career high. Released nigh on to mark Iles' 60th birthday collaborating on the Edition label release with the mighty NDR Big Band on an album of her own music proving at times funkily flavoursome ('Red Ellen') or even nimbly laconic ('Wild Oak' - an Iles piece covered on NYJO's She Said issued in 2022), Face to Face was recorded in Hamburg in 2021 and remains a must for all big band fans and especially long term followers of this inventive composer. A pick of the whole album turned out to be the Kenny Wheeler-like turn the album takes on the poignant title track and the storming 'Awakening' although the Mike Gibbs-like ensemble flourishes found on 'Misfits' also lit the album up a good deal. UK jazzers among the Face to Face heavy hitters included flautist Gareth Lockrane who also finds himself in the very far from piddling Ribble Valley Jazz Festival line-up with Walker and Thomas among the Illes 18-piecer.

Stacey Kent Ronnie Scott's, Soho Tuesday 7 May, Wednesday 8 May, Thursday 9 May, Friday 10 May, Saturday 11 May, Sunday 12 May. All shows are sold out

With arrangements on latest album Summer Me, Winter Me by Stacey Kent's husband saxophonist-flautist Jim Tomlinson the anchor the album relies on tracks mine a classic era where jazz became the soundtrack of arthouse films and a certain very classy nostalgia was included for no extra charge. Opening with a breezy version of Michel Legrand and the Bergmans' 'Summer Me, Winter Me' Stacey sings in French on another Legrand classic 'La Valse des Lilas' and again you land on one of the chief plus points on a Stacey Kent record: that stately feeling of a lost era and a tempo that takes all the time in the world. Jacques Brel's 'If You Go Away' is sung in two versions, one in English one in French. Quintessential Stacey Kent then - and while not a classic in her discography (for these go to The Changing Lights or Dreamer In Concert first) this move to a new label in ultra savvy Paris indie Naïve - whose Avishai Cohen & Abraham Rodriguez Jr release Iroko we grooved to last year - still means business as usual for a remarkable singer who has a sound completely her own.

Mark Lockheart/John Parricelli Quartet Eastside, Leytonstone Tues 7 May
George Colligan Quartet Magy's Farm, Dechomet Wed 8 May

Betty Accorsi Quartet Royal Hotel, Southend Wed 8 May
Mingus Project Cu Mumbles, Swansea Wed 8 May
The Ben Crosland Quintet Tap Social, Botley Wed 8 May

The Kinks-loving bassist Ben Crosland playing the Spin with keyboardist eminence Steve Lodder known for his work with the great Andy Sheppard, trumpeter Steve Waterman, guitarist Chris Allard whose Melodic Collective was noteworthy last year and drummer Nic France.

Mark Lockheart's Dreamers Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester Thurs 9 May
Noovision The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Thurs 9 May

Trombonist Noushy (Anoushka Nanguy) with guitarist James Mackay, drummer Graham Costello, bass guitarist Ewan Hastie and keyboardist Ewan Johnston.

Sam Braysher feat. Annie Majin Norden Farm, Maidenhead Thurs 9 May
Chris Jolly Group Matt and Phred's, Manchester Thurs 9 May
Fergus Quill plays Xero Slingsby Seven, Leeds Thurs 9 May
The Matt Hopkins, David Newton Quartet Hen and Chicken, Bristol Thurs 9 May

The serene and melodic groove-heavy big-beat bedecked Americana and electronica-tinged Dreamers are led by the renowned Polar Bear saxophonist Mark Lockheart. Note: it's guitarist John Parricelli in the band to play Leicester, with Lockheart, Tom Herbert and Dave Smith - on the 2022 record Elliot Galvin completed the quartet sound.

Rohan Armstrong Quintet Scott's, Belfast Fri 10 May
Henry Lowther & Still Waters 1000 Trades, Birmingham Fri 10 May

Bag of Bones Vortex, Dalston Fri 10 May

Radiohead loving pianist Rick Simpson with QOW Trio saxist Riley Stone-Lonergan, bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Will Glaser playing from No One Gets Saved (577 Records) out this month

Tom Ollendorff Quartet The Crypt, Camberwell Fri 10 May
John Etheridge Trio North feat Ben Crosland St Stephen's Lindley, Huddersfield Sat 11 May
Rewire The Jazz Centre, Southend in the afternoon

Playing Brubeck, Rewire are saxist Martin Hathaway, pianist Tony Gooderham, guitarist Dave Whiting, bassist Sam Hollis and drummer Trevor Taylor.

Lee Meehan Organ Trio Arthur's, Dublin Sat 11 May

Guitarist Lee Meehan's 2023 album Some of Us Are Looking at the Stars - the title of course riffing on part of what Lord Darlington exclaimed evocatively in the third act of the Dubliner Oscar Wilde's 1892 classic comedy Lady Windermere’s Fan ''No, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars'' - was a strong statement of intent from the swinging Irish jazzer. Meehan reminds us a little stylistically of fellow Irish ace Nigel Mooney. There's a lack of pretentiousness throughout in his approach and a skilled, knowing, concentration on big melodic statement shaped by a good deal of decorative flourish.

Claire Martin and Ian Shaw College Grove Sports Club, Wakefield Sun 12 May in the afternoon

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox Victoria Hall, Stoke Sun 12 May

All conquering ragtime whisperer and all round ivories tinkler Scott Bradlee and engaging chums reliably preposterously make it along to Spice up Stoke.