Jazz Preview: Season start put on ice as winter weather strikes

Alan Barnes, Andy Panayi, Steve Waterman, Mark Nightingale, Andy Cleyndert, David Newton and Clark Tracey were due to appear in a specially recruited band sponsored by the Brand family who are longstanding supporters of the club.

"It's a great shame but in view of the weather we had no choice but to call off the show and hopefully reschedule it for later in the year," said club promoter Chris de Saram.

"Apart from our customers there were huge problems assembling the musicians from different parts of the country."

Siberian conditions permitting, normal business should resume next Friday with Jason Yarde, Andrew McCormack and Trio Wah.

They're due to be followed by the Gareth Williams Trio on January 22, Sam Crockatt's Weirdness Band, with Kit Downes, on January 29 and the Simon Spillett Quartet on February 5.

Meanwhile the results of a questionnaire circulated to members following a drop in attendance and receipts are being studied by the committee.

Current thinking leans to arranging a shorter season with 30 gigs instead of 40, while retaining the weekly format.

However, on a less gloomy note the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, which does such a fine job for the arts in the area, is opening a new jazz club.

Beginning on January 28 with Rod Mason's Elements the club will be a monthly venue for leading regional, national and international musicians.