The gigs around the Midlands this week offer a fine example of the great variety that jazz in the 21st century covers.

We start this evening (Thursday) with the music of a man who was born in the 1920s, played by a big band of musicians who were born in the 1980s or even later.

Bill Holman arranged for everyone from Woody Herman to Gerry Mulligan, and this is the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra doing the business. Check them out at the Adrian Boult Hall at 6pm, tickets £5.50 on the door.

* Tomorrow (Friday) we have an impeccably educated young musician, followed by a funky twist to the big band repertoire.

Saxophonist Trish Clowes has trained at the Royal Academy of Music, studied saxophone with Iain Ballamy and composition with Hans Koller, and now leads a band that includes Calum Gourlay on bass and James Maddren on drums, along with guitarist Chris Montague and pianist Huw White.

The inclusion of cellist Heidi Parsons as the final member of Tangent shows Trish’s wider jazz interests.

Trish Clowes’ Tangent plays Rush Hour Blues at Symphony Hall foyer from 5.30pm, and it’s free.

Sweden would not be the obvious place to look for funk inclinations, but trombonist and singer Nils Landgren has made it an integral part of his jazz music, and he brings his Funk Unit and the BBC Big Band to the Town Hall tomorrow. Be there for 7.30pm. Tickets are from £12.50 from thsh.co.uk or on 0121 780 3333.

* On Saturday there is a chance to hear one of the most exciting young trumpeters from the US.

Christian Scott is creating quite a stir with his rich mix of New Orleans-flavoured jazz trumpet playing and truly eclectic influences, whether it’s Bob Dylan’s protest folk or Jackie Wilson’s R&B, Jimi Hendrix’s psychedelic rock or Art Blakey’s hard bop.

Christian is playing the Royal Festival Hall at the London Jazz Festival but you can see him in the intimacy of the Hare & Hounds, in Kings Heath. Tickets are £13, doors open at 9pm, and you can book at ticketsellers, on 0844 870 0000, or at birminghamjazz.co.uk

* Other good gigs this week:

Sunday: Stratford Jazz presents legendary alto saxophonist Peter King and his band. The gig is at The Chapel, it starts at 8pm, tickets are £10. Visit stratfordjazz.org.uk

Monday: Milestones is a band led by pianist Terry Seabrook and dedicated to the music of Miles Davis. The band will be playing the Kind Of Blue album plus other Davis tunes at the Warwick Arts Centre Studio from 7.45pm. Tickets are £12.50 from warwickartscentre.co.uk.

Wednesday: More Miles inspiration, this time his electric music, as Jazz Club presents Dog Soup at The Rainbow in Digbeth. It starts at 9pm, tickets are £4 on the door – visit birminghamjazz.co.uk