PEOPLE who know me reasonably well are aware that I derive a great deal of satisfaction from chronicling the success of young musicians and singers, especially if they have come to my notice through my association with Jeriatric Jazz.

A couple of years ago I met two very talented youngsters, trumpeter Gavin Hibberd and singer Alexandra Lorence, who had asked if they could join my band Jeriatric Jazz during one of our regular 'guest' spots at the jazz nights we run in and around Bolton.

Usually 'guests' are people from the band's background, that means knocking on in years and reliving the wonderful years at places like The Toby at Edgworth, the Black Dog and The Wilton up Belmont way. But Gavin and Alex were fresh, up and coming young talents and we knew right from day one that they were special.

I haven't seen or heard Gavin for several months as he is in his first year at Salford University, but he turned up at Horwich RMI on Tuersday night to play lead trumpet with the Art Lester Big band while I was 'depping' for drummer Don Crompton, who is having problems with his back. I can tell you straight off that the Art Lester pad is challenging enough for a drummer, let along a 'proper' musician, especially one playing lead. But young Gavin breezed his way through it with confidence and panache and is clearly destined for great things in the music industry.

In fact, one of the many 'grey heads' in the room was heard to express the opinion that young Mr Hibberd is the next Derek Healey, the wonderful trumpeter who rose from the ranks of the Bolton Palais band to become one of the most respected and sought after trumpeters in the UK.

Gavin, who is 20, and lives in Harpers Lane, Bolton, is studying music at Salford and a member of the wonderful Salford University Big Band under the direction of Malcolm Melling, himself a brilliant trumpeter. Gavin also plays with Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, The Bolton Youth Jazz Orchestra and a cabaret band called Frequency. He is a splendid young man, totally dedicated to his music and his parents must be delighted with his progress and very proud of him. They have every right to be.

As indeed do the mum and dad of singer Alexandra Lorence, who has made enormous progress in the past couple of years. As she has grown in confidence, Alex is now tackling jazz standards and classics with an assurance and vocal clarity.

She turned up at the Jolly Carter in Little Lever on Wednesday at our regular monthly gig to sing a couple of numbers with us and earned rapturous applause for her efforts.