SAMMY Rimington, an internationally acclaim New Orleans style reed player, is coming to perform in Hanley Castle.

The musician was a teenage prodigy who found fame with Ken Colyer's Jazzmen in 1960.

Now Alan Robinson, a Colwall-based member of the Ken Colyer Trust New Orleans Jazz Band, has organised a joint performance with Friends of the Upton Jazz Festival.

He said: "Sammy is an international celebrity. He's one of the most celebrated jazz musicians Britain has produced with an enormous international following."

Sammy studied with the great George Lewis in New Orleans and has since toured the world, thrilling audiences with his exquisite clarinet playing and driving saxophone style.

His music is firmly rooted in the great New Orleans heritage whilst adopting later styles.

Of the Ken Colyer Trust band, Mr Robinson said: "We are quite simply the foremost New Orleans jazz band in concert. We are all significant musicians in our own right and we perform where we can with suitable celebrities."

The concert takes place at 8pm at Hanley Castle High School on Friday, June 4.

Also playing in the band are Allen Beechey on cornet, Len Baldwin on trombone, Micky Ashman on double bass, Malc Murphy on drums and Peter Morcom on banjo.

Tickets are £10, members £8 from 01684 593794.