JEFF Gilpin, one of the enthusiasts behind the successful Eagley Jazz Club, which meets fortnightly at Dunscar Conservative Club, has kindly passed on news of two forthcoming festivals which he feels sure will be of interest to readers of this column.

Jeff, of course, is a traditional jazz man and one of the UK's leading street marshalls, who head the New Orleans marching bands at festivals and other special events throughout Britain.

He has supplied me with publicity material for jazz festivals at Pontins Holiday Centre in Blackpool from Tuesday to Friday, May 13 to 16.

Some of the very best New Orleans, Traditional and Dixieland bands will be appearing. The phone number for Blackpool 0870 604 5606, quoting ref BJ03.

For further information on either event contact John Petters, the drummer who is heavily involved in the arrangements for the festivals, on 0800 496 0673.

Jeff also tells me that among the coming attractions at Eagley Jazz Club are Jazz Classics presented by Dave Mott on Monday, March 31. Musicians booked to appear with Dave Mott (clarinet/sax) on that special evening are Terry Brunt (trombone), Billy Edwards (trumpet), Richard Vernon (bass), Pete Cotterill (drums), Jake Reeves (guitar/banjo) and Maurice Gavan (piano).

Gavin Hibberd, the brilliant young Bolton trumpet player, whom I first heard three years ago with the Bolton Youth Jazz Orchestra, is a very busy young man at the moment. Besides his tutorial commitments at Salford University, Gavin plays with the University Big Band, the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra and Wigan Jazz Club Big Band, the Bolton Youth Jazz Orchestra and, occasionally, the Art Lester Orchestra at Horwich RMI Club.

I saw him there on Tuesday night when it was obvious that he is a young man of outstanding talent who clearly loves his work. His mum and dad must be immensely proud of him. The world is his oyster, as the saying goes.

Incidentally, it's ballroom dance night with the Art Lester Orchestra next Tuesday at Horwich.

Jeriatric Jazz will in future be six-handed at all their gigs. There have been occasions, because of financial restrictions, when we have turned out with just five but I figure when people come to see our band, they expect six. So that is what they will get. No-one ever expected to get rich playing jazz and we are no exception.