Pop/Jazz: Jazz & Blues

Over the past decade or so, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano has emerged as one of the most interesting stylists of the era. An impressive series of albums on Blue Note have seen him working in a variety of settings, but he seems most comfortable in the trio setting seen on last year's highly-rated album Trio Fascination Edition One. His accompanists for the week at Ronnie Scott's, Frith Street that starts on Monday - Cameron Brown and Idris Muhamed - are not as well known as Dave Holland and Elvin Jones, the rhythm section for that record, but the shows should be fascinating.

Jazz of a rather different character is on display at Camden's Jazz Cafe this week as soul-jazz singer/ guitarist Jon Lucien concludes his stay at the venue tonight and Nitin Sawhney, a musician steeped in the traditional sounds of India presents his subtle blend of a variety of styles on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Finally, Thursday and Friday see Sierra Maestra, the Cuban band that has collected rave reviews for its World Circuit releases, bring some Latin fever to the north-London club.

At the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street, all week it is the turn of Kenny Garrett, a young alto saxophonist who has performed with the likes of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, to take the limelight. A couple of recent albums for Warners demonstrate his facility on both his own compositions and those of such stars as John Coltrane.

Finally, a chance to create a party in your own home - thanks to the latest CD from the highly-entertaining tenor saxophonist and vocalist Ray Gelato. Originally a member of the jump blues revivalists the Chevalier Brothers, Gelato uses the album The Men From Uncle (Double Scoop Records) as a means of showcasing his take on the swing style that is currently igniting US college towns on the back of records by the likes of the Squirrel Nut Zippers and former Stray Cat, Brian Setzer. And as anybody who has heard the Levi's Dockers ad theme "Tu Vuo'Fa L'Americano" - included here - knows, it is pretty effective, too.