I HAVE commented before in this column about the dedication and work which the people behind Wigan Jazz Club put into maintaining such a high profile venue.

Ian Darrington and his team are responsible for one of the biggest annual jazz festivals in the world and that in itself is a marvellous achievement.

The Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra has been responsible for unearthing some of the very best musicians in the United Kingdom and it is no surprise to find that the Wigan Jazz Club Big Band contains the names of young men and women who have come up through the ranks of the youth band.

I've got a lot of time for the Wigan Jazz Club team and recommend you get along to the Mill At The Pier, in St Thomas Street, a week tomorrow, November 24, to hear their latest booking: The splendid Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, who this year won the prestigious BBC Big Band award for a remarkable tenth time.

This year they are bringing to Wigan a 19-year-old drummer called Natasha Buxton, who won the Kenny Clare Award. She must be a hell of a player, given the strength of the quality of the entries. I'm very much looking forward to seeing and hearing her. The concert starts at 12.30pm and runs until 3.30pm.

I want at this point to thank the people who attended the Jeriatric Jazz concert at Bolton Central Library Theatre a couple of weeks ago. It was a terrific night and the video of the show, done by Big Frank Harrison, Eric Delaney's road manager in the UK, is a cracker.

Frank and I are discussing production at the moment and the video will be on sale as soon as we can organise enough copies, with profits going to Bolton Hospice.

The Colin Worth Memorial Concert has been confirmed for March 28 next year at Derby Ward Labour Club, with bands including the Chas Hooper Swing Six, Northern Jazz All Stars, Blue Delight with John Hargreaves, the Guy Porteous Trio with Joanna James, and, of course, Jeriatric Jazz. This concert will also benefit the hospice, where the much-loved Colin died in March this year.

What's on and where

THE ART LESTER BIG BAND: The Pennine Suite, Horwich RMI Social and Recreation Club, Chorley New Road, Bolton. Every Tuesday. 8.30 to 11.00pm. Free.

KEN WARD BIG BAND: Leigh Liberal Club. Every Monday. 8 to 11pm. Free.

RONNIE MOORE BIG BAND: Sacred Heart Club, Throstlenest Ave., off Springfield Rd., Wigan. Every Wednesday. From 8.30. Free. 01942 519059.

JERIATRIC JAZZ: Jolly Carter, Church St., Little Lever. Wednesday, November 20. 8.30-11.30. Free. The Cotton Tree, Prince St., Bolton. Thursday, November 21. 8.30-11.30pm. £1. Higher Broughton Conservative Club, Northumberland St., off Bury New Rd. Friday, November 29. 8.30 to 11.30pm.

ORIGINAL PANAMA JAZZ BAND: Bolton Cricket Club, Green Lane, Bolton. Thursday, November 21. From 8.30. £3.50.

ROY POTTS FIVE AND A PENNY: Bolton Cricket Club, Green Lane, Bolton. Thursday, November 28. From 8.30. £3.50.

MARK MURRAY and JEREMY SASSOON (keys): Smiths Restaurant, 1-3 Church Rd., Eccles. Tuesday, November 26. Fixed menu £12.95. From 8pm. Call 0161 788 7343.

ALEXANDRA LORENCE (vocals) and VINNIE PARKER (keys): Pizza Express, Wood St., Bolton. Tuesday, November 19. From 8pm. Call 01204 528766.

GAETANO and BOB FEEL (keys and sax): Pizza Express, Wood St., Bolton. Tuesday, November 26. From 8pm. Call 01204 528766.

MIDLAND YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTARA: Wigan Jazz Club, Mill at the Pier, St Thomas Street, Wigan. Sunday, November 24. 12.30-3.30 (doors open 12.00pm). £8 (concessions £7, members £6)