WITHOUT exception, when Wigan Jazz Club puts on a show, it is well worth travelling to see.

That remark applies with added emphasis when discussing the club's annual International Jazz Festival, but its regular monthly concerts are also hugely entertaining.

On Sunday, February 17, the Humber College Jazz Orchestra from Toronto will be special visitors to Lowton Civic Hall.

Described as "one of the world's top conservatoire jazz ensembles", the orchestra is under the direction of Denny Christianson, whose impressive CV indicates that this will be an event to savour.

A trumpeter, arranger composer and bandleader, he studied at the U.S. Navy School of Music in Washington, DC, played from 1971-5 at a casino in Lake Tahoe and worked for the next five years as a session trumpeter and arranger in Los Angeles.

He has led his own big band since 1981, playing his arrangements and those of leading American composers, toured Europe and America and played every major venue in Canada.

The Humber College Jazz Orchestra is preceded by some glowing reports. One critic described the band as "sizzling hot". The concert will start at 12.30pm, with doors open at noon. Admission is £8.00, concessions £7.50 and members £7.00 Call 01925 727408 or 01942 243974 for further information.

l Regular readers of these jottings will know that Southport Melodic Jazz Club's "Jazz On A Winter's Week-end" is currently in full swing.

Today's concerts include trumpet giants Steve Waterman and Bruce Adams with the SMJ Swingshift Big Band; bassist Arnie Somoygi's Ambulance, with Tim Lapthorn (piano), Paul Booth (tenor sax), Rob Townsend (sax and synthesiser) and Dave Smith (drums); The Russell Malone Quartet, which includes Malone (guitar), Martin Bejerano (piano), Tassili Bond (bass) and Jonathan Blake (drums); and The Pete Churchill Quartet, featuring Churchill (piano), Steve Watts (bass), Dave Wickins (percussion) and Bobby Wellins (tenor sax).

Tomorrow the three-day event closes with performances from the Jim Hart/Roger Beaujolais Quartet, which includes Hart (marimba and piano), Beaujolais (vibes), Simon Thorpe (bass) and Dave Smith (drums); The Eddie Henderson Quintet with trumpeter Henderson joined by Pete King (alto), John Donaldson (piano), Asaf Sirkis (drums) and Arnie Somogyi (bass); The Alan Barnes Octet, which includes Barnes and Andy Panayi (saxes, flute, clarinet) and, finally, pianist Pascal Michaux's trio.

Daytime events are held at Southport Arts Centre and night concerts at the Royal Clifton Hotel.Call 01704 541790 or 01704 540011.