A playful Beowulf Mayfield says how about joining him in his newly invented game designed to reveal your top five music favourites?

THERE'S a new game for everyone - you know the classic radio programme Desert Island Discs, which asks people to select the records they would like as company while stranded on a desert island?

Well, I thought it would be fun to find out which jazz recordings mean most to Watford's jazz musicians and fans. So, I'd like all readers of this column to write to me listing the five jazz tracks which mean the most to you. They can be your five all-time greats, they can be the five you enjoy playing at the moment - they can even be jazz songs you like to sing in the shower.

To start the ball rolling, I'm pleased to present the five tracks chosen by keyboard player and saxophonist Ian 'Sparky' Harrison.

1. You Must Believe in Spring by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans from the album Together Again recorded around 1977.

2. Groovin' High by Art Pepper, arranged by Marty Paich, from the album Art Pepper +11 recorded in 1959.

3. People Time by Stan Getz and Kenny Barron, from the album Yours and Mine recorded live at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1989. Ian comments: 'Despite the fact many people said Stan was an awkward chap and at this point I understand he knew he was dying from cancer, the track shows an amazing sense of humility. He was one of the most soulful and versatile musicians.'

4. Do I Love You? by Peggy Lee and George Shearing, recorded live in Miami in 1958.

5. Concerto de Aranjuez by Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, from Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, recorded in 1975 with Jim Hall on guitar.

Ian commented further: 'All of the tracks symbolize accessibility and an underlying lack of self-indulgence. The best players didn't play a thousand notes a minute, every one counts and the songs speak for themselves.'

Well, there are some great favourites of mine there - especially the Art Pepper track. I don't know the Paul Desmond/Chet Baker one but I'm making a mental note to look out for it and hear it for myself, which I find is one of the best ways to navigate through the ocean of recorded jazz out there. So, please write in with your favourites - the address is at the bottom of the gig list - and remember to include your name and address.

I've received an interesting package from Sinatra-style vocalist Tony Jacobs and his friends. Tony and pianist Jim Barry will be giving a special matine performance of their critically acclaimed duo show, Puttin' On The Ritz, at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, on Saturday, August 12.

The show celebrates the music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Fats Waller and pays tribute to the great singers such as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra.

The show starts at 2pm, ticket prices range from £6 to £25, available from the box office, telephone 01753 853888.

Tony produces an interesting monthly newsletter for his fans with details of his Sinatra years show and his Ritz shows - to join his mailing list write to: Ray Lowman Entertainment, 3 Littlecote Place, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 4RE.

Here are the gigs for the week ahead:

Vocalist Sophie Garner will be at PizzaExpress in Watford on Monday from 8pm, cover charge £3.

New York guitarist, vocalist and arranger Marty Grosz makes a special appearance at PizzaExpress in Amersham on Tuesday at 8pm.

Ian Harrison leads a piano duo at PizzaExpress, Berkhamsted, on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Vocalist Sara Reybould will be at PizzaExpress in Mill Hill on Tuesday at 8pm.

The Soundproof is at The Swan, Ley Hill, Bovingdon, every Friday playing smooth dinner jazz.

Northside Jazz Band at the Hartspring Centre, Park Avenue, north Bushey, on Sunday between noon and 2pm. Admission is £1.

The Goat, Sopwell Lane, St Albans, lunchtime jazz every Sunday.

Merlins Cave, Chalfont St Giles, Sunday lunchtime sessions with the Peter Hughes Trio and special guest trombonist Mark Mightingale.

A jazz evening is held every Wednesday at the Southern Cross in Langley Road, Watford, from 8pm to 11pm. Admission is free.

The Jazz Workshop for beginners and professionals alike at the White Lion, Little Chalfont, every Monday from 8pm.

Derek Manders is playing dinner jazz at Le Spicer, an Indian cuisine restaurant, in Little Chalfont, every Wednesday.

Send details of jazz events, and your top five to: Beowulf Mayfield, The Watford Observer, 124 Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD18 7JW; fax 01923 234738; e-mail: bmayfield@london.newsquest.co.uk.