A FLOURISHING Kidderminster jazz venue is to host an internationally renowned New Orleans-style musician as the curtain comes down on a successful season.

Organisers of Aggborough Jazz, based at Kidderminster Harriers' executive suite, are hoping to do better than their footballing counterparts by ending the season in style with a performance by Max Collie and his Rhythm Aces on Monday evening.

Club chief executive Alan Biggs said sessions had regularly attracted audiences of more than 70 - despite fearing he would have to pull the plug about a year ago due to poor attendances - and would start again in September after a summer break.

Max Collie's band are self-proclaimed "world champions of New Orleans jazz" and specialise in "hot jazz, blues, gospel, spirituals, ragtime, cakewalk, stomps and fun music".

Max, who plays the trombone, was born in Australia and formed his own band in the 1960s, using the Kings Road, Chelsea, as a base from which to tour Europe.

His illustrious career has taken in appearances at more than 3,000 festivals worldwide and performances alongside then US President Jimmy Carter on television and at the Queen's Silver Jubilee in London.

The band's six-piece line-up is completed by drummer Emile Martyn, who lived in New Orleans for 10 years, trumpeter Denny Ilett, Count John McCormick, bass, clarinet player and vocalist Gabe Essian as well as David Bashford, who plays banjo and also shares vocal duties.

They were winners of the World Championship of New Orleans Jazz in Indianapolis on their last US tour, triumphing against the cream of American musicians.

American jazz critic and historian Pete George said of Max: "You have to experience it in person to believe how he captures the spirit of the golden age of jazz as it was played by the Armstrongs and King Olivers. No recording can do it justice."