I had a cassette recording of Julian Arguelles's Octet playing at the Bath Festival that I played non-stop in my car for about two years.

That all seems an awfully long time ago, when the iPod was a mere glint in Steve Jobs' eye. But I miss it still.

There have been a couple of albums from the band, and a few visits down the years, but not nearly enough of either.

On Saturday they are back, at the CBSO Centre, and there are rumours of the band going into the studio again - so even if the bank holiday weekend is proving the usual "scattered showers" dull affair, there is hope and a reason to smile.

Saxophonist Arguelles, Lichfield-born and now dividing his time between Scotland where he lives, Frankfurt where he is working with the HR Big Band and York where the Octet is band in residence, has one of the most distinctive styles around: a warm sound and a way with an improvisation that manages to stay lyrical even at its most searching.

His writing for this mini-big band is almost orchestral in scope and manner, and the band members each bring a great deal of character to the party.

Of course, the absence of Django Bates's tenor horn is noted, but the inclusion of Arguelles' former Loose Tubes colleague Chris Batchelor on trumpet is something of a reassurance.

The piano chair has also changed - it is now occupied by Nikki Iles - which again is no room at all for complaint.

And then there are those who have been pieces of eight from the beginning: Iain Dixon on saxophone and clarinet, Mark Bassey on trombone, Mike Walker on guitar, Steve Watts on bass and Martin France on drums. Treasures all!

To my ears, Arguelles has been making some of the finest British music of the last decade and a half. High hopes of Saturday's concert should not be misplaced.

The Julian Arguelles Octet is at the CBSO Centre at 8pm on Saturday. Tickets are £12 (£9) from 0121 780 3333 or via www.thsh.co.uk

This is a Birmingham Jazz gig.

* Jazz is usually only heard under flyovers when a busker is trying to earn a coin or two. But on Saturday, underneath the Hockley Flyover, Soweto Kinch is presenting a wide array of music.

It's a celebration not only of the richness of creation that comes out of urban Birmingham, but also a reclaiming of a derelict area and an injection of soul back into the city.

Kinch himself will be summing up the spirit of this particular area in his jazz and hip-hop, veteran saxophonist Andy Hamilton will be there with the Blue Notes and the excellent singer Eska Mtungwazi will be making the Birmingham-Jo'burg connection.

There is also bags of other music and art, including Black Voices. It's all free and goes from 1pm to 9pm. There is more information on myspace.com/flyovershow.

* If the blues is more your thing, try the attractive acoustic sound of guitarist and singer Eric Bibb, at the Town Hall, also on Saturday evening.

Bibb has Danny Thompson on bass and a shining new gospel-fused album called Get Onboard to showcase on this world tour.

Tickets are £24.50 from thsh.co.uk and the music starts at 7.30pm.

* Finally, if the thought of elections, by- or otherwise, is sending you to sleep, here is some voting worth getting out of bed for. The BBC Jazz Awards shortlists have been announced, and between now and June 2 you get a chance to vote. Just go to bbc.co.uk/music/jazzawards2008/ and make your mark.

If you have any news or views you'd like to share, email me at peterbacon@mac.com

The blog is at thejazzbreakfast.blogspot.com.