They have been stretched and twisted, turned into instrumentals and deconstructed, sometimes tortured almost beyond recognition. But still the songs from shows and films and tin-pan alley have survived.

They are brought together in a virtual collection that we call the Great American Songbook, and in terms of their durability they constitute the most important music and lyrics of the 20th century.

One of their greatest jazz interpreters was undoubtedly Ella Fitzgerald, and it is Ella and the songs she sung which are celebrated on Friday at Symphony Hall.

Providing the lush and loving orchestral settings are the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of John Wilson, and playing the Ella role is one of our foremost contemporary jazz singers, Claire Martin.

Expect Almost Like Being In Love, The Lady Is A Tramp, Too Darn Hot, S’Wonderful, Every Time We Say Goodbye, and so many more.

A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald starts at 7.30pm in Symphony Hall and tickets are #8 to #38, and you can book on 0121 780 3333 or online.

Get there early on Friday and enjoy the free Rush Hour Blues session in the Foyer Bar – appropriately, Esther Miller, another fine singer, leads the band. It starts at 5.30pm.

If one overwhelming strand of modern jazz is fed by the Great American Songbook, another is fed by the music of Brazil.

One of that country’s most widely appealing bands is Azymuth, who, back in the 1970s, worked their own kind of fusion by adding jazz and funk sensibility to the home-grown pop of the time – the MPB movement as it is called. They visit Birmingham on Sunday.

Azymuth have had their career revitalised in recent years courtesy of some dedicated supporters in this country and the Far Out label.

Their music has become deeply fashionable again, and imbues any occasion with slightly-retro sophistication, so it is apt that the venue Birmingham Jazz has chosen for this gig is the Zinc Bar on Regency Wharf, just off Broad Street.

Doors open at 8.30pm, the band is on at 9.15pm. Orders at the bar for a Caipirinha should be high. It’s #8 to get in.

Before that – tomorrow night in fact – there is a grand display from another rich tradition of American music, as The Sounds of Blackness bring their soulful gospel to The Drum.

Not just gospel, either. This Grammy-winning group bring loads of other musical traditions to the party, from rock and soul to jazz and reggae.

An exceptional collection of singers and one of the funkiest bands around, Sounds of Blackness is led by Gary Hines. This is their only gig outside London. Support comes from Birmingham’s Nu Life.

The Sounds of Blackness are at The Drum tomorrow from 7.30pm, tickets are #22 in adv, #26 on the door. Book now on www.the-drum.org.uk or call 0121 333 2444.

Other gigs this week:

THURSDAY: MYJO with singer Brenda Scott will overflow the stage at The Corks Club in Bearwood, as Andy Hamilton’s guests in his regular Thursday night series. Doors open at 8.30pm, the band starts at 9pm and tickets are #4. More info on 0121 455 9454 or on www.bearwoodjazz.co.uk
SATURDAY: Ed Jones Quartet at Taylor John’s House, for Jazz Coventry. 9pm, #7 on the door or in advance from the Taylor John’s website. Look out for Leon Greening on piano.
SUNDAY: Part of a double bill at the Music Room @ mac are Times Squared, from Coventry, who mix jazz in with Latin and other things. 7.30pm, #4.50 from mac. Part of the World Unlimited series.
Garry Allcock's Allstars Big Band, directed by Paul Drakeley, with guest vocalist, the great Marlene Ver Plank, are at the David Lloyd Centre, Shady Lane, Great Barr. Admission is #10 on the door.

* News and views by email, please, to pl_bacon@yahoo.co.uk. Look for the blog: www.thejazzbreakfast.blogspot.com