JAZZ & BLUES

With former bandmate Sting showing his jazz roots all over the place, it is perhaps not so surprising that former Police guitarist Andy Summers should also show a weakness for the form. But it takes a lot of confidence to take on as distinctive a composer as Thelonious Monk - as Summers has done on his second RCA Victor Album Green Chimneys. The album - on which Sting makes an appearance - is supported by a week at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street starting on Monday.

Meanwhile, at Ronnie Scott's, Frith Street, Cuban jazz throws up another hot performer in the shape of Alfredo de la Fe. Though at the opposite end of the age spectrum from the Afro-Cuban All Stars who helped put the Caribbean island back on the musical map, de la Fe has acquired considerable experience since classical violin performances in New York at the age of 11 earned him a prestigious scholarship and paved the way for appearances with such salsa stars as Celia Cruz and the Fania All Stars.

At Chelsea's 606 Club, more mainstream music is on offer, as British saxophonist Bobby Wellins takes the stage tonight and former Ronnie Scott pianist John Critchinson is there on Wednesday.

Tonight, veteran British bluesman John Mayhall is at the Stables venue near Milton Keynes before appearing at the Blackheath Halls tomorrow.

More blues is on offer on Thursday, when Jake Andrews, the latest teenage guitar singer, hits the stage at London's Borderline in support of his debut Jericho album Time to Burn.

Andrews' base of Austin, Texas is also home to Kelly Willis (above), whose current Rykodisc album What I Deserve is one of the great bluesy country records. She's at the Embassy Rooms in London's Tottenham Court Road, also on Thursday.

Roger Trapp