A brand new series of live music performances has been arranged for the East Yorkshire town of Howden.

The shows have been put together by the volunteer-run Howden Live group and will go ahead at the infamous Shire Hall.

It all kicks off on Saturday, January 23, with the renowned South African jazz singer, Esther Miller. Esther was born and raised in Port Elizabeth and, despite studying medicine at university, soon found the lure of jazz too much and switched her attention to the arts.

She most recently performed in our region at the 2008 Cleethorpes and Burton Agnes jazz festivals and comes to Howden with support from her own musical quintet.

Following Esther will be the big hit of the recent Beverley Folk Festival, Skavolution.

Currently the UK's only acoustic ska band, the group are based in nearby West Yorkshire and are a sure-fire hit for Howden's premier performance arena.

A much requested variation in the jazz season comes on Saturday, February 6, with the return of traditional jazz band The New Orleans Z'Hulus while on Saturday, February 13, there will be a second double headliner with Chantel McGregor and Derrin Nauendorf on stage.

Folk music also gets an outing thanks to the hard work of Howden Live in the form of Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy and Chris Parkinson's performances on Saturday, February 27.

Norma and Martin have been at the forefront of the English folk scene for more than 30 years and, joined by their long time friend Chris Parkinson, they perform traditional songs and music in a way only they know how.

This show will be followed by jazz greats Mark Crooks and Mark Nightingale who perform on Saturday, March 6, and Edwina Hayes a week later, on March 13.

A hectic Howden weekend is due on Friday, March 26, with a Help For Heroes fund-raiser headlined by Johnny Cash tribute act, Keep It Cash.

And – for those want a reminder of the sunshine in their early spring months – this will be followed on March 27 by Howden Live's first ever Brazilian night, featuring Claudio Kron.

Claudio is a percussionist, songwriter, dancer and poet from Bahia, in Brazil, who has devoted himself to music since the age of nine.

Much of his percussion is influenced by the traditional slave work and is described in his CV as "a melting pot of cultural identity that is performed with intense passion and energy". The night will also include a percussion workshop hosted by Claudio.

The winter season will then be rounded off on Sunday, March 28 with a Spike Theatre presentation of Top Of The World.

So for something to do in the Ridings this winter, look no further than Howden.