There's a pause between the bigger festivals, so spare a thought for a more modest series - Music at Leasowes Bank.

It's one of England's most rural music festivals, some ten miles to the south of Shrews-bury in Shropshire, between the dramatic rocky outcrops of the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd on Leasowes Bank Farm.

The concerts, covering a diverse range of music, are held in a converted barn, the atmosphere is informal and the location pretty impressive.

Each year a new work is commissioned, but on Saturday a previous one is revived.

Clark Tracey with his Quintet will perform the 1987 Music at Leasowes Bank commission Stiperstones Suite. Dedicated to the rocks which dominate the view and are shrouded in mystery, superstition and folklore, this work has been a spectacular success, much played and frequently broadcast.

This is your chance to hear it where it all began, in a barn with excellent acoustics and with the possible accompaniment of sheep bleating outside.

Call 01743 790769 for more information.

Larry Adler did it, and so did Toots Thielemans - turned the modest harmonica into a jazz instrument of great impression and power.

So, look out for young Philip Achile from Solihull.

He has just won the Birmingham International Jazz Festival's Starbucks Young Musician 2006 contest, held at the Electric Cinema last Friday.

There were six finalists and the prize includes the chance to perform at the Marbella Jazz Festival in May next year, as well as at a selection of Star-bucks coffee houses throughout the region.

Gigs of note this week: On Friday, the Rush Hour Blues winds up its Symphony Hall Bar season before heading out on its summer tour of bars around Brindleyplace with a celebration of the trombone.

Ace of the instrument, Mark Nightingale, a former Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra player, leads a rhythm section called the Rath Pack. Expect 'bone fans in their droves because there's an International Trombone Festival going on at the hall this week. The free music starts at 5.30pm. Get there early if you want a seat.

On Saturday, it's world music time at the mac and the latest in their Sounds In The Round series.

The Stella Chiweshe Band sets the compulsive sound of the mbira or thumb piano, which Stella plays amplified by a cala-bash bowl, against danceable rhythms. In her soaring vocals, she sings stories with ancient roots.

For once, the temperature seems likely to reflect the music's origins.

It starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £12.50. Book at www.macarts.co.uk or on 0121 440 3838.

On Sunday, head for the White Swan in Stratford upon Avon.

Stratford Jazz presents Luis d'Agostino and Pete Oxley on guitars.

Both players have their own bands but this is a rare chance to hear them as a duo.

The action goes from 8pm and for more information look at www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

* News and views by email, please, to pl_bacon@yahoo.co.uk