JAZZ fans have been presented with quite a dilemma this weekend; which gig(s) to go to. I’ll be at the California Club in Ipswich this Sunday for the visit of local lass Karen Sharp but if I wasn’t there I’m pretty sure I’d be taking in some jazz elsewhere.

The jazz weekend starts this evening with the Chris Biscoe Quartet featuring Tony Kofi at Fleece Jazz in Stoke-by-Nayland while Colchester singer Helen Abbey and her group Verao begin a monthly residency at the Bristol Arms in Shotley.

Tomorrow night Hadleigh Town Hall presents trumpet star Enrico Tomasso backed by Chris Ingham, Arnie Somogyi and George Double. Also in the area tomorrow evening is vocalist Clare Teal, this time to perform at The Old Granary at Toft Monks near Beccles.

Ipswich-born Karen is always assured of a warm welcome at the Ipswich Jazz Club where she has appeared on many occasions and in many formats. For her latest visit this Sunday she’ll be fronting a sextet focusing on the music of Gerry Mulligan.

Karen has decided to feature some of Mulligan’s 1950s recordings and she’ll be joined by trumpeter Bruce Adams, tenor saxophonist and clarinettist Robert Fowler, Arian Fry on trombone, Simon Thorpe on bass and Matt Home on drums. That is quite a line-up and one which ought to attract another big turnout at the Cali. Admission’s £13 and doors open at 7.30pm.

If that doesn’t float your boat then Sunday night also sees Gilad Atzmon guesting with the house band at Fludyers in Felixstowe and singer Laura Zakian linking up with the Jazznights Trio at the Cherry Tree in Belchamp St Paul near Sudbury.