Highlights of the Manchester Jazz Festival next month, which runs from 23-31 July, include MBASE trumpeter Ralph Alessi with the vibes-led Jim Hart Trio at the Festival Pavilion on the opening day; the superb Gwilym Simcock/Mike Walker/Steve Swallow/Adam Nussbaum band, set to enter the studio the same month for their debut for Basho Records (RNCM, 27 July) and Scottish saxophonist Phil Bancroft’s new Home – as Small as the World project, at the same venue on 28 July.

Drummer Stu Brown’s zany cartoon music show based on the music of Raymond Scott is next day again at the Royal Northern College of Music.

BBC Radio 3’s Jazz on 3 programme broadcasts live from the festival on 26 July, and there is also a jazz film season which takes place at The Printworks plus free gigs in St Ann’s Square and at the Festival Pavilion in Albert Square, as well as a full club programme at leading Manchester jazz clubs Band on the Wall and Matt and Phred’s.

For more go to www.manchesterjazz.com