THE MILTON Rooms is hosting a new series of top quality professional jazz nights showcasing the best contemporary jazz players from across the north of England.

“There is a boom in listening and playing jazz and we’re bringing some of the most talented musicians from across the north to Malton in the coming months and creating a real jazz club atmosphere in the hall,” said Milton Rooms chair Merryn Wilderspin.

The concerts, in association with development agency Jazz North, launch this month, Friday, March 31, with the Jamie Brownfield Quartet featuring British Jazz Awards rising star, Jamie, on trumpet, pianist Tom Kincaid, Ken Marley on double bass, and drummer Jack Cotterill.

Jamie Brownfield started playing the cornet at the age of nine in his local Welsh brass band and by the time he was 12 was performing jazz in public. While still in his 20s, Jamie has been playing professionally for many years touring the international jazz festival and club circuits as well as backing vocalists, TV and session work.

His fresh and exciting quartet have a vast range of experience in different styles of music and have come together to play their own mix of New Orleans street beat, swing and reggae.

From the original Deep South beat tunes like “The Happy Feet Blues” through to the quartet’s own compositions, you can hear their musical influences: stars such as Harry Connick Jr, Leroy Jones and Oscar Peterson.

The band members have played with some notables artists themselves including Bruce Adams, Shakin’ Stevens and Digby Fairweather and toured all over Europe and the US.

Tickets, priced £12, are available from the Milton Rooms on 01653 696240 or online at wegottickets.com/event/389756.