LIKE many others, celebrated saxophonist and composer Denys Baptiste has always drawn a powerful inspiration from the music of John Coltrane.

Indeed, the Denys Baptiste Quartet are marking the 50th anniversary of Coltrane’s death with their latest work – The Late Trane – revisiting Coltrane’s early compositions.

Coltrane’s tunes represented some of the most emotional and spiritually charged music of the 20th century, a mirror on a time of tumultuous change in America and the rest of the world in the 1960s.

“Coltrane was a musician who put it on the line every time he picked up the sax,” said Denys, one of the headliners of the Ribble Valley International Jazz Festival

“His fearless experimentation and constant hunger to discover who he was within the music, and that raw emotion, was very compelling.

“Coltrane spoke the truth, and was never afraid to share the journey with musicians and audiences.

“If he was here today, I think he would still be exploring new ways to play his music, collaborating with young innovative musicians and new forms.

“So rather than just recreate, like John Coltrane karaoke, I decided to use flavours of modern rhythms and grooves for the purpose of providing a way in for listeners who might be intimidated by the original recordings.

“Coltrane connected with his audience in a very primal way, and that is why I think his music will continue to inspire future generations.”

Baptiste says it’s an exciting time for jazz listeners and that many young musicians who have grown up listening to more popular music have fused their musical interests into jazz.

“That’s kind of the beauty of music; it’s constantly evolving, and here in the UK is where some of the most interesting music is being created,” added Denys who returns to Clitheroe after guesting for Jazz Jamaica at last year’s festival.

“I didn’t come from a musical family but once I started to dabble in music I discovered that my dad had a small collection of jazz records, including Dave Brubeck, Count Basie and Coltrane.

“I was encouraged to listen to Coltrane’s music by a fellow student at school.

“In those days I’d borrow LPs from my local library, so I picked up the first Coltrane album I came across, Live in Europe.

“The intensity of the music was too much at that time, and it sounded to me like they were just making noises.

“But it really intrigued me and was the catalyst to discover much, much more.”

The Ribble Valley International Jazz Festival opens on Thursday with Dave Barnes and Dave Newton playing at Holmes Hill, Clitheroe.

The Denys Baptiste Quartet play the Grand, Clitheroe, Saturday, May 5, 1.30pm. Details from 01200 421599 or www.thegrandvenue.co.uk