ABBEY Jazz will be performing twice in three days at Malvern Rugby Club, beginning with a charity event in aid of St Richard's Hospice.

Abbey Jazz and guests will perform classics such as Basin Street Blues and Mama's Gone Goodbye on Friday, October 24, at 7.30pm.

The event has been organised in memory of Ian Brearley, a jazz fan, who was a patient at the hospice before his death a few years ago.

Organiser Len Thwaites will play double bass at the Friday night concert with five other musicians from across the West Midlands.

He said: "We'll be playing mainly Dixieland and swing - there'll be something for everyone really. Tickets are already selling fast which is encouraging."

Jazz legend Roy Williams will join Abbey Jazz musicians on Sunday, October 26, at 8pm.

As a renowned trombonist, Mr Williams was a member of Alex Welsh's band, has played with Peter Boizot's Pizza All-Stars and Five-a-Slide and was a regular guest at Dick Gibson's Colorado Jazz Parties in America.

Mr Thwaites said: "In the middle of last year, we had three trombonists playing a concert and someone said the only thing thatwas missing was Roy Williams.

"As I am a friend of his anyway, I asked him to do this concert. He is well-respected on the jazz scene."

Tickets for the Friday night concert cost £10, including a two-course supper. There are only 100 spaces available, so people are encouraged to book early. The Sunday night concert costs £3.50. Tickets for either event are available from 01684 561706.