Someone important arrived in Birmingham last Sunday.

We know this because Birmingham Jazz director Tony Dudley Evans washed his car in honour of double bassist, composer and bandleader Dave Holland.

Tony was meeting him as he arrived for his biannual stint teaching and mentoring the young jazz hopefuls at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Although the workshops and rehearsals are private affairs – part of the jazz course curriculum – the results can be enjoyed by everyone.

Tonight (Thursday) at the Conservatoire’s Recital Room, student bands will show what they have learnt from Dave. It starts at 7pm and tickets are £6 at the door.

Earlier in the year Alec Dankworth and his Spanish Accents had a date in the book for Jazz Coventry but then Alec’s dad, Sir John, died and the date clashed with his funeral. So, a delayed but warm welcome this evening for a warm-hearted band playing music that itself has the Spanish sun within it.

The gig is in the Warwick Arts Centre Studio at 7.45pm, tickets are £12 and you can find out more at warwickartscentre.co.uk

Meanwhile, over in Shrewsbury, also tonight (Thursday), Trish Clowes’ Tangent are bringing those wicked jazz rhythms to the halls of Shrewsbury School from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10, available via the Severn Theatre box office on 01743 281281, from theatresevern.co.uk or at the door.

The Live Box continues its strong run with a gig on Sunday evening at The Drum by saxophonist Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble.

Bassist Yaron Stavi and keyboardist Frank Harrison will be familiar faces, but the new kid on the drums is Eddie Hick. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets are £12 from 0121 333 2444, at the-drum.org.uk or at the door.

Other good gigs this week:

Friday: Pianist Levi French leads the band for Rush Hour Blues, in Symphony Hall foyer from 5.30pm. It’s free.

Saturday: Singer Gwyneth Herbert and her band are at Lichfield Guildhall, from 8pm, tickets £14 from lichfieldarts.org.uk or on 01543 262223.

Tuesday: Hear this year’s winners of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards’ Best Ensemble prize, the Nigel Price Organ Trio. They are at the Jam House from 9.30pm. Entry is free.