THE combination of violin and guitar could be considered an unlikely mix for the purpose of jazz. However, there are exceptions to every rule - for proof, see Tim Kliphius and Gary Potter in Rawtenstall on April 4.

Kliphius (violin) and Potter (guitar) are phenomenal talents, with individual CVs which confirm they are among the world's best on their respective instruments and together they are dynamite.

Kliphius was classically-trained at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music and graduated in 2002.

As a jazz violinist he plays in the style of the late Stephane Grappelli.

Kliphius won the VSB Music Award of Leyden, Holland, and went on to play the North Sea Festival in 1999.

Directly after he joined gypsy jazz guitarist Fapy Lafertin and together they made three CDs to international acclaim.

In 2003, a tour of England with French gypsy jazz guitar virtuoso Angelo Debarre opened a new era and together they played at a number of prestigious festivals.

Kliphius met the American swing pianist John Coliani, formerly with Lionel Hampton and mel Torme, at the Upton-On-Severn Festival and they joined the Les Paul Trio in February of the next year.

Gary Potter is regarded by aficionados as one of the finest jazz and country guitarists in the world and has fans in America and Australia as well as Europe.

Self-taught, other than a few basic chords shown to him by his father at the tender age of 10, he was appearing professionally at 12 and at 16 performed at Wembley Stadium as lead guitarist, where he was voted best country guitarist on three occasions.

A friend gave him a D'jango Reinhardt record when he was still in his teens and that completely changed Potter's musical direction. It brought about a decision to make jazz his career. Country music's loss was jazz's gain.

Since then he has won many awards and is in constant demand at festivals and on the club circuit throughout Great Britain, Europe and America. He is also an accomplished composer.

Tim Kliphius and Gary Potter play the Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall on Tuesday, April 4.