Lightsey, who plays at the Millennium Hall in Sheffield tonight and the Cellar at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield tomorrow, once defined himself as a Detroit pianist incorporating "a Bud Powell awareness, an Art Tatum styling, a bebop feeling and a pianistic approach."

Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan , fellow members of the Detroit scene, were key influences on this man of many musical parts and the result, at the venerable age of 71, is a burnished performer with a rich capacity to surprise and entertain.

He had lengthy associations with the singers O.C. Smith and Lovelace Watkins but still found time to conduct the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, the Scala Symphony Orchestra in Spain and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Before settling in Paris in the nineties, Lightsey performed and recorded with George Coleman, Sonny Stitt, David Murray, and Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon and played on one of the last performances by Chet Baker.

This experience is currently being channelled into a tour with a trio completed by Steve Watts on bass and Dave Wickins on drums which will be heard in Sheffield and Huddersfield.

Guitarist John Etheridge, last heard recalling his years with Stephane Grappelli, performs in a different context at Dean Clough , Halifax next Thursday with bassist Arild Andersen and drummer John Marshall.

Leeds College of Music's autumn season at The Venue continues with a blast of Latin jazz from Apitos tonight and a visit from an old student, Snake Davis, with his band on Thursday.