Darren Sigesmund

As melting pots go, Dublin ensemble Yurodny is one of the hottest and most capacious. Founded by English-born Irish-based saxophonist Nick Roth, the group may be steeped in the jazz tradition of improvisation, but is more likely to look east for inspiration as opposed to the westward gaze of most jazz musicians. The nine-piece group includes Russian violinist Oleg Ponomarev and Italian pianist and accordionist Francesco Turrisi, as well as some of Ireland's leading young musicians including violinist Cora Venus Lunny, trombonist Colm O'Hara and double-bassist Dave Redmond.

The group has just released its second album, Evenset, on the Diatribe label and is embarking on an extensive Irish tour, including appearances at the Cork Jazz Festival and the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival. The excellent album, which imaginatively explores the connections between Europe's different musical traditions, was produced by the great Israeli-Palestinian saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and features a host of exotic guests from as far afield as Hungary and Australia.

The tour, which is supported by the Arts Council and Music Network, begins in Dolans, Limerick (Wednesday 21 October) and continues in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan (Thursday 22), the Everyman Palace Theatre at the Cork Jazz Festival (Saturday 24), the Button Factory at the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival (Monday 26), the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray (Friday 30), Campbell's Tavern, Headford (Saturday 31), Debarras Folk Club, Clonakilty (Sunday 1 Nov) and finishes in the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton (Friday 6).

Pick up a copy of Evenset at one of their concerts, or go to www.myspace.com/yurodny for more details.

Like several of Ireland's leading musicians, Canadian trombonist Darren Sigesmund, whose sextet arrives in Ireland next weekend, attended the renowned Jazz Workshop at Banff in the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Centre has been running its intensive summer workshops for the last 30 years and has exerted an influence on contemporary jazz out of all proportion to its size and location. During the '80s, it was bassist Dave Holland who directed the course, and his superb band formed the core of the faculty, including composer and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and the now pervasively influential alto saxophonist Steve Coleman.

A flavour of all three is discernible in Sigesmund's latest release, Strands II, which features vocalist Eliana Cuevas and a special guest appearance by saxophonist Tim Ries. Using the voice like an instrument in the manner of Wheeler, with a tonal palette of trombone and saxophone reminiscent of Holland's quintets in the '90s, Sigesmund's sound is fresh and instantly likeable.

The Darren Sigesmund Sextet play the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray (Saturday 17) and the Pendulum Club at JJ Smyths, Dublin (Sunday 18). For more info, check out www.improvisedmusic.ie