DESPITE being on tour for half a century and absent from Ilkley since 2000, jazz maestro Chris Barber has lost none of his local appeal.

Half the seats for his forthcoming return concert on May 22 have already been sold, and there’s a real buzz about town which suggests it might be a case of ‘book early to avoid disappointment’.

“The last time Chris and his band played here, it was a sell-out,” said John Thirlwell, Chairman of the Friends of the King’s Hall and Winter Garden group, organisers of the event.

“Live jazz played by first class musicians cannot be beaten, and we’d expected a good response.

“Jazz would also seem to be the elixir of life – when Chris Barber played here in 2000 there were people who’d seen him when they were students in the 1950’s. A large group from that night have now booked for the May 22 show.

“Cigars, hard drinking and raunchy sounds seem to support a pretty sound lifestyle.”

Tickets are now available at Ilkley Visitor Information Centre in the Town Hall.

For details or to book for concerts, visit the website at: friendskhandwg.ilkley.org.