A “TORCHBEARER of the jazz saxophone tradition” will be playing at an Anglesey gig.

North Wales-based tenor saxophonist Liam Byrne, who is popular with audiences and highly esteemed among his peers, will be bringing his Classic Jazz Quartet to the Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge on Wednesday, May 22.

The quartet is equally committed to recreating the sound of authentic American swing from the 30s and 40s to a bebop repertoire of the 50s and 60s.

Liam is described as one of the UK’s finest young tenor saxophonists whose warm sound and understated approach is inspired by players like Ben Webster, Lester Young and Al Cohn.

Llandegla-based Liam, studied at the Leeds College of Music.

He won several awards including the Dave Cooper Memorial Prize for Jazz Saxophone and the ‘Spud Murphy’ Saxophone Prize.

He is also a graduate of the London Guildhall School of Music.

Liam has performed alongside leading British jazz musicians including Alan Barnes, Digby Fairweather, Bruce Adams and Roy Williams, as well as US saxophonist Harry Allen. He also co-leads and writes for the popular Brownfield Byrne Quintet and Hot Six.

A popular guest at jazz clubs around the UK, more recently Liam has been invited to perform in Europe, appearing at venues in Paris and the Hague.

His Classic Jazz Quartet features three more virtuoso musicians, with Andrzej Baranek (keyboards) and Tony Ormesher (guitar), who came to prominence as members of the renowned Magic Hat Ensemble, plus Frank Grime (double bass).

This North Wales Jazz presentation starts at 8pm and admission is £8, concessions, £7, and school children, £3.

For further information contact 01745 812260 or see website www.northwalesjazz.org.uk

The Victoria Hotel, known locally as the 'Vic', is one of Anglesey's most popular venues in the area for a varied programme of live music.