SOME people would rather be punched repeatedly in the face than listen to jazz.

Those people are, of course, very silly.

For all its failings and whiff of dull-ness, jazz done right can be as majestic as the most intricate symphony and as epic as the boldest ballad.

So, fans of the genre will no doubt be shaking their jazz hands in delight to learn that living legend Courtney Pine will be tooting down to Chingford Assembly Hall this weekend, as part of a new series of jazzy concerts at the esteemed venue.

The globally-famous saxophone master plays this Friday (July 10) at 9.30pm.

Tickets are around £18 and available from ents24.com.

And further good news for jazzy peeps the day before (to whet your appetite before the main event) down at the Plough Inn in Wood Street, Walthamstow, when E17 Jazz presents the acclaimed saxophone-led Tori Freestone band.

It all kicks off at 8.30pm and costs a fiver.

But if jazz isn't your thing there's also a musical medley evening at the Plough on Friday with the first-ever Witstock.

Featuring a host of diverse solo acts and headlined by comedy genius band the Maharajas and Woodford rock act W.I.T, this will certainly be a varied evening of 'choons.

Entry is £3 and doors open around 7.30pm.

Over at the Standard Music Venue, also in Walthamstow, Club Bus Wind present four lovely unsigned acts on Thursday (July 9).

For just £5 with a flyer you can see the rocking Momma's Slippers, Dirty Love, Reachback and The Duel.

Doors open around 8.30pm.

Alternatively in Essex on the same night, at Harlow's great Square venue, unsigned acts Angry Boy, Crash Mansion and In Equinox all take to the stage from 8pm onwards.

Entry is £4.

On Friday (July 10) the Glasslights play, supported by the Castlettes, the Strangerhood and The Baron and the General.

It all costs £5 to get in.

Meanwhile over at the Sheepwalk in Leytonstone next week, promoters What's Cookin' present the marvellous Barry 'the fish' Melton on Wednesday (July 15).

Mr Barry, a former member of '60s group Country Joe and the Fish, is flying over all the way from the US of A, where in his day job he is the President of the California Public Defenders Association. Scary stuff....

Support comes from slide guitarist and songwriter Dave Arcari.