THE ever-popular Humphrey Lyttelton celebrates 50 years as a band leader with a special concert at The Bull, High Street, Barnet.

With a seven-piece band, regarded as the very best of his career, he is once again set to delight Bull audiences with his wonderfully varied repertoire.

This ranges from early traditional to the music of Ellington, Basie and other giants of the swing era.

Add to this his own compositions, chosen from a repertoire of more than 150 written over the years, his humorous banter and witty commentaries and a more enjoyable evening of jazz you'd be hard pushed to find.

Born in 1921 to a non-musical family, Humphrey has had a varied career, along the way playing with everyone from Jack Teagarden to Louis Armstrong.

As well as being a musician, bandleader and composer, Humphrey also wears the hats of freelance journalist, author, after dinner speaker and radio presenter.

The band's current line-up features players of the highest pedigree with Kathy Stobart on tenor, baritone and soprano saxes, Jimmy Hastings on tenor sax, clarinet and flute, Pete Strange on trombone and arrangements, Ted Beament on piano, Paul Bridge on bass and Adrian Macintosh on drums.

Tickets for the concert are £10 (£7) and are available from the Bull box office on 0181 449 0048.

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