GREAT British trombonist Chris Barber returns to The Anvil on Thursday, November 23, with his fabulous 11-piece big band for an unforgettable evening of jazz and blues.

During the evening, Chris will present many of the sounds and styles he has cherished through more than 50 years of music, from his signature tune Bourbon Street Parade to music by Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet and the soulful Miles Davis.

Chris Barber's band is one of the most important and well-known trad jazz bands in the business. Inspired by the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Chris formed his first Barber New Orleans Band in 1949 at the age of 19.

It turned professional in 1954 and, since becoming Chris Barber's Jazz Band, has been one of Europe's most successful traditional jazz bands ever since, marching on into the 21st century.

And at the end of 2001, Chris extended his group with three more musicians into The Big Chris Barber Band.

Readers may not realise, but it was Chris, together with Harold Pendleton, who initiated the national Jazz & Blues Festival in Reading in 1961, which eventually grew into the Reading Rock Festival.

All tickets for The Big Chris Barber Band are priced £15.