YOUNG musician Tom Rees-Roberts, Herefordshire's Young Musician of the Year in 1995, is returning to the area with his London-based Jazz Quartet to present a lively evening of jazz at the Lion Ballroom, Leominster on Saturday.

The members of the quartet, who met whilst they were post graduates at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, will be featuring the music of Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davies and Kenny Wheeler, plus original charts, in an evening that promises to get the stately surroundings of the Ballroom really swinging.

Tom, who was educated at John Beddoes School, Presteigne, was inspired to play the trumpet at the age of seven, when he heard Crispian Steele-Perkins play at the very first Presteigne Festival.

He went on to study trumpet with Howard Snell at the Royal Northern College of Music, gaining a B. Mus. Hons Degree and Professional Performer's Certificate.

Tom played with the Mbwala F. Manhattan Brothers for the South African Freedom Day Celebrations 2001 in Trafalgar Square, where he was introduced to Nelson Mandela. He has played with many big names including Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, American drummer Billy Cobham, and alongside top trumpeters Derek Watkins, Guy Barker, Henry Lowther and Noel Langley.

Pianist Steve Holness studied both classical and jazz piano at the Guildhall, and he is the regular pianist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Winton Rollins Big Band and Stuart Brookes' 'Ninth Edition'. He has played with many distinguished musicians including Ben Castle, Dave O'Higgins, Don Lusher, Martin Shaw and Simon Bartholomew from the Brand New Heavies.

Bass player Richard Pryce studied as a scholar at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall, and since graduating he has played regularly with the Philharmonia and the LSO.

Drummer Troy Miller also studied at the Guildhall, and since graduating he has been working with the Jean Toussaint Quartet, the Soweto Kinch Jazz Group, Tomorrow's Warriors at the Jazz Cafe, and has been involved in educational workshops with Nel Gaynor of Simple Minds.

Tickets are available from Capriole Music, Leominster (01568 613477) and The Outback, Hereford (01432 275063).