Jimmy have had to head south but his career hasn't!

And no. I am NOT on the payroll of that splendid establishment.

I go out of my way to publicise the Rhythm Station's offerings because a real effort is made to feature some of the world's best jazzers in what is hardly the most 'happening' place on the face of God's Good Earth,

And next Tuesday, the high standard that is the hallmark of their presentations will be maintained when saxophone virtuoso Jimmy Hastings is the featured soloist with the resident Tommy Melville Quartet.

Originally from Scotland, Jimmy followed the same path south taken by so many excellent players before and since.

The simple truth, which everyone in the business surely recognises, is that if you prefer to be a big fish in a small pool, you stay where first you became a 'name'.

If you want to mix it with the big boys and maybe become famous outside your home town goldfish bowl, you get off your backside and head for London. Jimmy did just that and the move certainly paid off.

He spent two years with the Ken Mackintosh Orchestra, followed by four with the BBC Radio Orchestra and worked with such world class stars as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin and Sarah Vaughan.

Jimmy main instrument is tenor sax, but has been a member of the Humphrey Littleton Band since 1993 on alto, clarinet and flute. He has toured extensively with 'Humph' and featured on several of their recordings.

He is also a member of the John Dankworth Big Band on baritone sax, bass clarinet and flute.

He somehow finds time to teach saxophone at the Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth, and is also Professor of Saxophone at the London College of Music. Busy isn't the half of it!

He may not be the best-known saxophonist in the UK but Jimmy Hastings can play and crosses the jazz divide from mainstream to bop with equal brilliance. Give him a listen. He's worth the trip.