THIS weekend is shaping up to be a real cracker for jazz lovers in this part of Lancashire with two events of significance taking place tomorrow evening.

Sadly, when two dates clash in this way, as they seem to do all too often, aficionados are left with a difficult choice to make. But, whichever way you jump, make sure you get to one of them.

Let's deal first with one close to home. Darwen Library Theatre is the venue for the latest musical offering by the local 42-piece musical ensemble The Jam Factory, under the direction of Blackburn-based bass virtuoso Steve Berry.

Tomorrow evening at 7.30pm they will be joined by two brilliant local musicians, Iain Dixon (saxophones) and Mike Walker (guitar) in what has been titled a 'Winter Warmer'

Rossendale-based Mike Walker is a world-class guitarist who has recorded and played with some outstanding musicians, as indeed has Clitheroe saxophonist Iain Dixon. He has recorded with, among others, Sting, Simply Red and Quincy Jones, an impressive CV indeed.

Admission to the concert is £6.50 (£4.50 concessions) and Steve Berry says the audience is in for a treat.

Similarly, the organisers behind Wigan Jazz Club, of whom I wrote last week with regard to their annual mid-summer jazz festival, are very much anticipating the appearance tomorrow evening of the marvellous 29-piece Bert Kaempfert Orchestra, under the direction of jazz trumpet legend Tony Fisher.

In fact this weekend is seen as a salute to youth jazz orchestras across the region and there will be separate performances by young bands from Bolton, Sefton, Salford University, Scarborough, Leeds University and Wigan, as well as workshops, seminars and rehearsals.

It promises to be a thoroughly entertaining few days for listeners, and particularly memorable for the young musicians, who will be parading their skills.

For further information about the Bert Kaempfert Orchestra concert, which starts tomorrow evening at 8pm, or any of the other events during the week-end, call 01925 727408, 01942 243974 or 01695 627577 or visit the club's website at www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk

Next Tuesday Don Rendell, one of the elder statesmen of British jazz, will be making a welcome return to the Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall where he will be backed by the Tommy Melville Quartet.

Don is a brilliant jazz musician who has a pedigree as long as your arm, having worked in the 1950s with Billie Holliday, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and toured with his own bands opposite American giants such as the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and The Modern Jazz Quartet.