CHRIS Barber formed his first New Orleans Band in 1949 at the age of 19.

Four years later, along with clarinetist Monty Sunshine and banjo player Lonnie Donegan, Chris joined forces with trumpeter Ken Colyer. After his legendary fall-out with Colyer and the latter's replacement by Pat Halcox in 1954, Ken Colyer's jazzmen morphed into Chris Barber's Jazz Band. Chris's partnership with Halcox - it ended with the latter's retirement in 2008 - became the longest such association in the history of jazz. Changes of personnel not withstanding, the Band maintains its reputation as one of Europe's most successful traditional jazz bands.

The great man himself is revered as Europe's most influential bandleader. As a young musician, he effectively laid the tracks for the sixties blues rock explosion which paved the way for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The eighty six-year-old is now sole survivor of the Trio known as the Three B's - Barber, Bilk and Ball. "Icon" or "legend" are tags that tend to be all too readily applied these days, but in Chris Barber's case both are richly deserved.

The Grand old man of jazz remains at the top of his game; he continues to lead the Band and dazzle fans with brilliant trombone solos and charm his audience with anecdotes from a lifetime in music. Following a sell-out concert at the King's Hall last year, the maestro is very much looking forward to returning to Ilkley and playing once more for "a dedicated and supportive audience - people who enjoy good music played with style".

Chris Barber and the Chris Barber Big Jazz Band plays the King's Hall on Sunday, December 4 at 7.30pm. Good seats still available from £18-£25 at the Visitor Information Centre, Town Hall, Ilkley, 01943 602319.