PIANO Legends is the theme of a concert being presented at Broadway's Lifford Hall later

this month by a trio whose musical influences range from Oscar Peterson to Keith Jarrett.

The Geoff Eales Trio takes its name from pianist Geoff Eales, a first class honours music graduate of Cardiff University, where his research into the music of Aaron Copland and studies in composition earned him a Ph.D. As a member of the BBC Big Band, he featured in more than 1,000 broadcasts between 1979 and 1983. He has played at many of the world's leading jazz clubs, including London's Ronnie Scott's and New York's Birdland, as well as major UK jazz festivals such as Edinburgh and Marlborough.

The other members of the trio are bassist Roy Babbington and drummer Mark Fletcher. Roy turned professional in 1958, playing for leaders in clubs and ballrooms. After moving to London in 1969, he worked as a session musician and recorded with bands led by Ian Carr, Mike Westbrook, Keith Tippett and Barbara Thompson. He was a member of Soft Machine, accompanying many visiting American musicians and has played several productions at the national theatre.

He has also performed regularly with the BBC Radio Orchestra.

Mark has played drums since 1969 and spent four years on cruise ships in the 1980s. He

was also involved in various film, television and radio sessions.

He first started playing at Ronnie Scott's in the late 1980s and has performed as in-house drummer since the mid-90s.

Among artists he has toured with are Dizzy Gillespie, Georgie Fame, Alan Price and Dave Gilmour.

The Geoff Eales Trio will be on stage at the Lifford Hall at 8pm on Sunday, September 28.

Tickets are available from Dave Smith on 01386 852654, Richard Prater on 01386 832364, Evesham Book Centre on 01386 45567 or from Broadway Post Office.