THOSE of you who were at The Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall 10 or so nights ago must have been impressed by the big band sounds of the Mark Gillbanks Orchestra. I know I was, but then I have been a fan of this terrific outfit for a number of years and many of its personnel are close friends.

If you were at The Rhythm Station, or have had the privilege of hearing this knock-out band somewhere else during its long, successful career, then you will be interested to learn that on Saturday, November 29, at the Mill at the Pier in Wigan, the Mark Gillbanks Orchestra will be backing vocalist Laurie Ash in his Tribute to Sinatra Show.

Oldham-born Laurie has been around a long time, honing his craft as resident vocalist/compere in Manchester during the heady days of cabaret clubs in the 1960s and '70s when top-flight entertainment and live music was the norm, seven nights every week.

Thirty years ago he was responsible for the formation of The Satin Brass Orchestra and singers, a hugely successful function band which boasted some of the very best musicians the North West had to offer.

Laurie's vocal tribute to the great Francis Albert was not an idea which tried to capitalise on the tidal wave of devotion following Sinatra's death.

His musical homage dates back 10 years to Sinatra's 80th birthday and has continued to play to capacity crowds in recent years. Trying to do an acceptable imitation of Frank's style of delivering songs, not merely singing them, has proved beyond the ability of many so-called Sinatra soundalikes.

But Laurie Ash has received written testimonies from people like Tony Parker, who enthused in Encore jazz magazine when reviewing the show that no other singer could have done a better job.

And BBC Radio producer Janet Bolding wrote to Laurie, saying: "I doubt if there is another Sinatra-style voice we could have trusted with a live broadcast."

In recent months, Laurie has started putting in appearances at venues where my band Jeriatric Jazz is resident and always gets up to do a couple of songs.

I'm probably the biggest Sinatra fan on the Planet and anyone who tackles the work of the greatest contemporary singer ever to draw breath certainly has my unqualified support.

The Wigan concert featuring Laurie Ash and the Mark Gillbanks Orchestra starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets, £10.50 (cons £9.50) are available from Wigan Tourist Information Centre on 01942 825677.

If you are a Sinatra fan, or merely a big band swing enthusiast who appreciates quality sounds, the trip to The Mill at the Pier will be worthwhile.

Ben Clatworthy, the Los Angeles-based but London-born tenor saxophonist, returns to the Rhythm Station next Tuesday.

Clatworthy, a former student of the late, much-missed Ronnie Scott, is one of the finest exponents of hard bop in the world of jazz and I urge you not to miss him.