ONE of the UK's premier jazz clubs is gearing up for its 19th anniversary.

Malvern's Abbey Jazz celebrates the occasion in its regular venue of Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane on Sunday, June 8 when they welcome Andy Leggett as their special guest on clarinet and sax.

Andy has just returned to the UK after spending 17 years in Germany playing with the Rod Mason Jazz Band, and he will perform alongside players including the two men responsible for running the club, bassist Len Thwaites and guitar/banjo player Phil Probert.

Mr Thwaites said: "It's not the same band every fortnight, so it is always different on the night and it always works."

Mr Probert added: "We have been growing our audiences, getting more people into the fortnightly session and some younger faces. From our point of view that is a big bonus because we have tried to reach out to younger musicians."

Abbey Jazz is a not-for-profit organisation and all proceeds are put back into attracting and paying performers, with its fortnightly jazz sessions held on Sundays from 8pm to 10.30pm.

The club was founded on June 4, 1995, at the Railway Inn, Malvern Wells and dates of the new series of sessions runs from Sunday, May 11 to Sunday, August 3.

For more information, go to malvernjazz.co.uk or call Len on 01684 575605.