WOODY ALLEN has hard work ahead when he promotes his new movie Curse of the Jade Scorpion, The (2001) this summer (01) - he's embarking on a three-city tour of America's jazz clubs with his clarinet.

The film-maker's '40s-style flick opens in America on 10 August (01) and her plans to play music around America's West Coast jazz clubs to make people aware of the film's approaching release. Joining him will be banjoist EDDY DAVIS & HIS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND, the same band that plays with him most Monday nights at New York's CARLYLE CAFE.

Allen says, "Eddy is the heart and soul of the band. He's really the leader. I'm just the highest-profile person. "

Allen previously toured Europe in 1996 to sell-out crowds. The concerts, to be held at DIMITRIOU'S JAZZ ALLEY in Seattle, Washington (2AUG), YOSHI'S at Jack London Square in San Francisco, California (3AUG) and the JAZZ BAKERY in Los Angeles, California (7 AUG), will benefit local music charities.

Preview screenings of the movie, which stars Allen, HELEN HUNT and DAN AYKROYD, will also take place in each city. Allen's family - wife SOON-YI, daughters BECHET and MANZIE, plus assorted nannies - will join him ion the road. (RGS/U/RP)

Source: WENN