IF 'JAZZ is the new rock & roll', what was rock & roll when it came out?

Not that it matters or anything, but it's one of those maddening little conundrums that tend to keep you awake in the wee wee hours, and even the ploppy ones.

The recent emergence and success of artistes with profound jazz leanings, such as Jamie Cullum and Amy Winehouse, is a clear indication that jazz never went away, it just got younger and decidedly better-looking. A welcome by-product of the new jazz wave is the fact that Michael Parkinson is suddenly cool again, and his Radio 2 show has gone from being a curmudgeonly Yorkshire junk shop filled with the detritus of old show tunes to a prescient shop window for new talent, not least Clare Teal (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne, Friday, October 8, ticket information on 01202 848499).

The great man fair went a bundle on Clare following the 2002 release of her second album Orsino's Songs and ever since, playing her material relentlessly, inviting her to appear three times on the show as a witty and erudite guest reviewer and booking her to perform on his TV show on October 16.

His enthusiasm is by no means misplaced either. On the evidence of her new album Don't Talk (Sony Jazz), she combines a remarkable vocal dexterity with mature restraint, and her memorable, well-crafted original material nestles alongside covers chosen with immaculate taste (Laura Nyro's Stoned Soul Picnic, Dusty Springfield's What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life and the title track, one of Brian Wilson's most headily romantic compositions from the mighty Pet Sounds album).

Oh, and she 'discovered' Jamie Cullum into the bargain, recommending him to her record label after hearing an early demo. Don't miss her, eh?

Now, I'm looking at a press release here which concerns the imminent appearance of Blondie tribute band Once More Into The Bleach (Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Saturday, 7.45pm, £9 advance/£10 on the door, tickets from 01297 442138).

It says here that vocalist Sam C 'performs as part of Debbie Harry.' We're all grown-ups here - I know full well that all of you, just like me, will be thinking 'which part?' I can only assume that this is some form of abstruse typographical error, as the idea of an entire tribute show being handled simply by one of Debbie Harry's bits is too upsetting to contemplate.

Rest assured, however, that Once More Into The Bleach are as good as it gets, bearing an official seal of approval and even some stage costumes donated by Debbie Harry herself, bless 'er.

Finally, glad tidings for all fans of CLASSIC ROCK - a term that sounds best if you imagine it intoned through a billion-watt PA in an amphitheatre by Tommy Vance. The word is that the area is due another visit from twin-guitar pioneers Wishbone Ash (Honiton Motel, Sunday, 8pm, £11 advance/£12 on the door, tickets from 01404 43440).

Rumours that they are to provide a long-awaited follow-up to the multi-million selling Argus album with a concept piece entitled Murks & Spencur are largely unfounded, but their reputation is nevertheless cast in gold. Still led by founder member Andy Powell, the band are approaching the end of a mammoth 50-date UK tour in support of the Phoenix Rising DVD and Lost Pearls, a selection of previously unavailable studio tracks from the late 70s.

A rock is emphatically not out of the question.