SAXOPHONIST Alan Skidmore, fresh from his starring role in the Herts Jazz Festival last month, is launching a new jazz season on Sunday.

A remarkable tenor player who is renowned for moving and lifting an audience, he has performed with a list of international artists including Georgie Fame, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Stan Tracey, Van Morrison, Charlie Watts and Herbie Hancock.

He has played at festivals and conducted workshops all over the world.

Alan is appearing at 7.45pm at the Herts Jazz Club at Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, and will be joined by Steve Melling on piano, Arnie Somogyi on bass and Clark Tracey on drums. Admission is �13 online at www.welhat.gov.uk/cw, �16 on the door and �5 for students and under 21s.

n Last month’s first-ever Herts Jazz Festival has been voted a huge success by press and audiences alike, including a four-star rating in The Times.

It was kicked off by the Echoes of Ellington Big Band led by Pete Long and was a roll call of Herts Jazz Club favourites including Dave Newton, Don Weller’s Big Band, Stan Tracey, Trudy Kerr, Tim Garland and guitarist Martin Taylor who pulled the biggest crowd.

There was also a jamming session with the Leon Greening Trio and drummer Clark Tracey who played seven gigs.

The success of the festival means it will return next September.