A FEW weeks ago I broke the news that the brilliant jazz twosome Ben Castle and Mark Nightingale would be headlining a concert at the Bolton Festival on Sunday, August 24.

I think it fair to claim that Ben and Mark rarely, if ever, work as a unit except in our town where they have appeared together, and on their own, at Jazz Jamborees at Derby Ward Labour Club.

Their commitments preclude such an eventuality as Ben leads the Big Blue Band and Mark is a member of the John Dankworth Orchestra. However, they will be in concert together in Bolton in August and next Tuesday, at The Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall, fans of Mr Nightingale will have the opportunity to hear him with the resident Tommy Melville Quartet.

Dankworth describes Mark as 'The best jazz trombonist in the world' and I don't know anyone who would argue with that assessment. I've heard a few in my time and the bewildering flow of notes which pour from Nightingale's trombone defy description. Shut your eyes and you would swear he was playing a valve trombone. Open them and it's clear he's using slide and tongue. Unbelievable!!!

Mark began playing at nine and was recruited as lead trombonist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at 15. During that period he began composing and arranging and quickly became regarded as one of the UK's most creative and original writers.

His career as never shown the slightest trace of a hiccup and, since graduating from the world famous Trinity College of Music, Mark has firmly established himself on the international jazz scene.

It's not too much of a trip to Rawtenstall and I promise it will be well worth the trouble, though I am probably preaching to the converted here as Mark has a loyal and considerable fan base in East Lancs.