CHRIS Barber was just nineteen when he formed his first New Orleans band in 1949.

Four years later, he joined forces with clarinetist Monty Sunshine, guitarist Lonnie Donegan (later the “King of Skiffle”) and trumpeter Ken Colyer. Pat Halcox replaced Colyer in 1954 and played over 10,000 gigs with Chris Barber’s Jazz and Blues Band - the longest such collaboration in the history of jazz.

Chris is now (unbelievably) approaching his 89th birthday and has absolutely no intention of laying down the trombone and putting his feet up just yet.

Why should he when devoted fans continue to pack halls and theatres to hear those stylish trombone solos and anecdotes from a lifetime in music.

The pioneering young Chris Barber effectively laid the tracks for the sixties blues rock explosion. Seventy years on, the maestro is still at the top of his game and very much looking forward to yet another sell-out King’s Hall gig. Expect to hear songs like Bourbon Street Parade, Jubilee Stomp, Petite Fleur, Ice Cream, When the Saints Go Marching In - and many more favourites.

The Friends of the King’s Hall present the Big Chris Barber Jazz Band on Wednesday, April 3 at 7.30pm.

Tickets £19 to £27 available from Friday, January 25 at the Visitor Information Centre in Ilkley Library. Telephone 01943 602 319 or email: ilkley.vic@bradford.gov.uk