INKBERROW Jazz has announced the 2004 season of village concerts raised £1,550 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Sponsored by kitchen and bathroom company Blacks of Inkberrow, Inkberrow Jazz was founded by owner Roger Black to bring world-class jazz to the village and benefit the worthwhile charity.

January's gig at The Bull's Head attracted a full house for a performance by top saxophonist Alan Barnes with a trio led by pianist David Newton.

Worcester's mayor also supported the venture, as did several local musicians and David Hellings, of BBC Hereford and Worcester's Big Band programme.

It culminated in The Archer's Blues by Alan Barnes - based on the well-known theme tune for the long-running Radio 4 series - in celebration of Inkberrow's long association with the programme.

Visiting US jazz and blues singer Joe Lee Wilson blew in during April with pianist Pete Churchill's trio.

The audience tested the capacity of the pub to hold these events and it was decided to hold the next one in the village hall.

A grand piano was hired for the final gig in September for Geoff Eales and his trio to accompany international jazz vocalist Lee Gibson for an evening of George Gershwin's music.

Mr Black said: "I'm thrilled to have been able to attract musicians of this calibre to Inkberrow.

"It seems to have been well received by the community. I'd like to thank my staff and everyone who came along for supporting Inkberrow Jazz and giving so generously to Macmillan. We'll be organising more gigs next year."

For information about future gigs, logon to www.blacks-of-inkberrow.co.uk and click on Inkberrow Jazz.