IF you've heard Ian Joseph's mellow tones on Radio 3's Friday night show, Jazz Legends, you'll know he has a voice cool enough to freeze half the Sahara.

And now his glacial coolness will be reverberating off the walls of Worcester Cathedral as he continues to break down the barriers between classical and jazz.

Mr Joseph will be presenting the BBC Big Band, with soloist Norma Winston and Michael Garrick conducting singers from the Three Choirs Festival.

"You can expect three things from the show," says Julian, in a voice not unlike the Magic Roundabout's Dylan - "the BBC Big Band, Michael Garrick and Norma Winston.

"Michael Garrick will be performing some of his own work. He composed a series of religious works in the 70s for choirs.

"Norma Winston has an amazingly strong voice and she will be singing some standards."

The BBC Big Band will be providing the backbone to this concert, and is a regular feature of Radio 2's Monday night line-up and the BBC World Service.

The Big Band has performed with the likes of Van Morrison, Tony Bennett, Lalo Schifrin, Ray Charles and Dr John.

The band is also a regular feature on the festival circuit and last year appeared at the BBC Jazz Awards 2001 and BBC Proms.

The concert opens on a bright swing note with La Sacre Supreme by Billy Strayhorn and continues with pieces from Duke Ellington and Kurt Weil.

Then the programme moves into Mr Garrick's classical composition before finishing off the Ellington's early classic, It Don't Mean a Thing.

"I will be introducing the pieces and setting the scene," said Mr Joseph, a renowned musician in his own right, leading his own trio, quartet, eight-piece and big band.

"It's very different when you're playing with a bigger band because you have the responsibility of making sure all the musicians personalities come through to the audience."

In his radio show, Mr Joseph deals with a different jazz legend each week, but equally he enjoys presenting live.

"I'll miss playing because you can play off the energy of the audience. But it will be interesting presenting for somebody."

One of the many things Mr Joseph has been credited with is playing a substantial role in breaking down the barriers between classical and jazz music.

"People are surprised if you play jazz at a classical music festival," he said.

"It's all music. Learning classical music helps me to play jazz, and playing jazz helps me to play classical. Jazz can be played in a cathedral, concert hall or recital room."

In this case, Mr Joseph says playing in the Cathedral will add to the performance.

"Playing acoustic in a Cathedral gives the piano an eerie sound but brings out its sound and soul.

"It'll be a cultural experience, but more than that. it'll be something people can come along, relax and listen to."

Nice.

The concert takes place on Sunday, July 27, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £6-10 from 01905 611427.