THE Grand Cinema in Clitheroe will tomorrow be the unlikely setting for a jazz concert featuring a band led by keyboards veteran Eric Ainsworth, one of the best-known and respected musicians in the North West.

I say unlikely because the elegant Grand is home to the Great Days Festival in June, organised by folk music enthusiasts. Somewhat unusual, then, for folkie folk to be co-promoting a jazz concert with the Grand Cinema? Well, maybe not.

The press release advertising the event points out that the great Louis Armstrong once remarked: "All music is folk music. I aint never heard no horse sing a song!" That just about says it all. The show is certainly top value at £6. Eric Ainsworth has chosen some excellent players to accompany him. For example, bassist Norman Fisk, who lives in Nelson, is one of the few acoustic players left in captivity, a solid rhythm section member and inventive soloist.

Drummer Bob Jones enjoys a reputation for being a reliable and driving player while front line musicians John Hallam (sax and clarinet) and Ian Royle (trumpet) are among the very best in this part of the UK. Eric's main "guests" are husband and wife team Brian and Carole Oldham, trombone player and singer respectively. Brian has worked with a number of jazz luminaries, including Roy Williams, Monty Sunshine and Cy Laurie, while Carole has a great feel for jazz and injects a whole range of emotions into her songs.

Next Tuesday at the Rhythm Station at Rawtenstall the featured guest soloist will be the brilliant Israeli jazzman Gilad Atzmon, a phenomenal sax and clarinet player.

In fact Gilad is equally at home on soprano, alto, tenor and baritone and has been making quite a reputation for himself on the jazz circuit since he arrived in the UK three years ago.

He is not among the better-known names and there are number of jazz enthusiasts of my acquaintance, for example, who have yet to hear him play live.

If there are any "doubters" out there, do yourself a favour. Go and listen. Gilad is a hell of a player.

I made mention a couple of weeks ago about the death of well-known East Lancs singer Colin Worth, whose residency at the Toby Inn, Edgworth, in the 1960s was a Golden Era of entertainment in our part of Planet Earth.

A memorial tribute will be held at Derby Ward Labour Club, Deane Road, Bolton, on April 5, when a whole host of musicians and singers have promised to appear in a concert which will run from 8pm to 11.30. Tickets, priced £5, can be obtained from the club (01204 531114) or from me at The Telegraph (01254 678678 ext 233).

Gig List:

ERIC AINSWORTH, PIANO AND FRIENDS: The Grand Cinema, Clitheroe. Saturday, March 23. From 7.30pm. Tickets £6.

GILAD ATZMON (sax virtuoso) with The Tommy Melville Quartet: The Rhythm Station, Rawtenstall. Tuesday, March 26. 8.30pm to 11.00pm. £6.

JAZZ JAMBOREE: Bolton Youth Jazz Orchestra and Jeriatric Jazz in concert. Derby Ward Labour Club, Deane Road, Bolton. Friday, March 22. 8.00pm to 11.30pm. £3.