THE Sparrow Hawk Hotel's Sunday lunchtime jazz sessions are proving very popular and The Steve Oakes Quartet, who filled the latest slot at the Burnley venue, added some more admirers to their fan base.

Steve (guitar), bassist Richard Wilcock and drummer Ian Bell were fronted by legendary Preston-based Lancashire jazz alto saxophonist Harold Salisbury, whose reputation spreads far beyond the boundaries of East Lancashire.

Harold has been a "face" on the British jazz scene for many years and his classic bebop style has been heard in many different groups, most notably with a terrific band called Free Parking, which included the excellent Gary Culshaw on bass and Keith Ashcroft on guitar.

I have worked with Harold many times, most recently with Bill Tarmy's backing band Gentle Jazz at The Broad Oak in Ashton Under Lyne. He's a wonderfully-inventive altoist, equally at home on flute, and if ever you see his name advertised, get along to see him if modern jazz is your thing.

According to the programme notes from last Sunday's gig, Harold may be back at the Sparrow Hawk this coming Sunday with a band called The Pinto Beans.

Check with the hotel on 01282 421551 but support the venue anyway.

I keep on saying that without the backing of places like The Sparrow Hawk, and other pubs and clubs who put on jazz sessions, our music would be restricted to radio and jazz CDs.

We MUST keep music live and do whatever we can to provide outlets for jazz musicians to play, otherwise it will wither and die.

I'm 68 and still managing to defy gravity but if ever I win the Lottery, which is looking less and less likely, I will buy a big dance hall or cinema and turn it into a jazz palace.

Talking of "veteran" jazzers leads me to add that Harold Salisbury has more years behind him than in front but he can still cut the mustard, as they say.

So can tenor saxophonist Karen Sharp who, at 31, is one of a marvellous posse of relatively young players, like Ben Castle, Guy Barker, and Mark Nightingale, who are taking British jazz to new frontiers.

She will be at The Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall next Tuesday. Born in Ipswich and for a time a student at The Royal Northern College of Music, Karen these days is kept busy touring jazz clubs nationwide, where her mainstream/bop style, influenced by Dexter Gordon, is proving very popular.

And there is no shortage of offers from the establishment as she plays frequently with bands led by Digby Fairweather and Humphrey Lyttleton. In his liner notes on Karen's debut CD, the great Humph wrote: "This auspicious first CD with her own sparkling band confirms that what we have here is a superb musician, fit and ready to take off"

Humphrey Lyttleton is not noted for handing out oral or written compliments without good reason.

Karen Sharp is most definitely a young musician to look out for.