THIS is shaping up into a major weekend for Blackburn-based musician Steve Berry, even allowing for his normally demanding schedule.

Steve is rated as one of the best in the business on string bass. His ability has brought him much-deserved respect and admiration from fellow musicians and fans.

However, he is best known locally for his leadership of The Jam Factory, the community creative jazz orchestra and choir which has gone from strength to strength during the five years it has been in existence.

Tomorrow evening The Jam Factory will appear at Darwen Library Theatre from 7.30 with two very special guests -- Stuart Hall (oud and violin) and Eddie Parker (flutes). Tickets are £6.50 with concessions £4.50 and the Jam Factory's fifth anniversary CD will be on sale at the theatre.

Then on Sunday Steve will don his jazz hat for a special concert at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music, when he appears with his trio, Fortune Heights.

The other personnel, Les Chisnall (piano) and Dave Walsh (drums), are both outstandingly talented and I know that whoever makes the journey to Oxford Road, Manchester, to see the trio will find it well worthwhile. The concert starts at 7.30pm; admission £5.

Meanwhile, as you have been told before in this column, Jeriatric Jazz will be appearing at The Old Rosins Inn in Hoddlesden this evening at a special Spring Ball and trumpet maestro Digby Fairweather will be guesting with The Pendle Jazzmen at The Whitchaff in Rawtenstall.

The Rhythm Station at Rawtenstall, well used to featuring the biggest names on the international jazz scene, will welcome back one of the UK's best-loved musician/entertainers next Tuesday when John Barnes fronts the resident Tommy Melville Quartet.

John is nothing if not versatile and plays baritone, tenor, alto and clarinet. He sings, too! However, it is his excellent baritone playing for which he is best known. He has three times won a section of the British Jazz Awards on it. A long-time member of the Alex Welsh and Humphrey Littleton bands, John has featured in concerts and festivals with other well-known musicians, including Roy Williams, Mike Cotton, Martin Litton and Alan Barnes. He has toured extensively with similar jazz "greats" in Europe and the USA and has an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival to his credit.

Humphrey Littleton, possibly the most experienced and respected bandleader, jazz critic and broadcaster in Britain, describes John Barnes as "a member of the world's first division. He is a born leader, able to lead his colleagues to the apex of their own powers." Praise indeed and from a man not noted for handing out plaudits without very good reason.