LANCASHIRE jazz lovers can look forward to a season of lunchtime concerts at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre, starting tomorrow.

Lunchtime Live is a long established jazz session that combines fabulous music with delicious food and the coming season promises to attract the best ever standard of visiting jazz groups from all over the north of England.

Jazz audiences in the Ribble Valley are thriving, and the season begins with the highly regarded pianist and vocalist John Ellis from Manchester this Friday.

Ellis has collaborated with Tom Jones, Lily Allen, Oasis and John Squire from the Stone Roses and featured prominently at the recent Manchester Jazz Festival.

He is also a founder member of the Cinematic Orchestra.

In his solo work, Ellis had a successfully highly reviewed 12-piece band, The John Ellis Big Bang, which toured England from 1995 to 2001.

Since then, performances have centred around the piano trio working with a collection of songs ranging from Irish folk to Prince and originals all with a jazz, blues or soul flavour.

Later in September the spotlight falls on two Ribble Valley pianists at the opposite end of the playing spectrum.

Former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School John Wickham has recently graduated from Huddersfield University with a BA in Music Performance.

Along with his trio – Tim Rice on drums and Adam Lynch on bass – the group has progressed from performing as part of the school’s swing band into playing more regularly as a trio, developing their own arrangements and nailing down an unmistakable mood to their music focused around John’s emotive playing style.

“It is such a pleasure to play on a gorgeous grand piano in a great atmosphere. There is always a connection with the audience at the Grand and a fantastic sound,” said John.

The group mix up the styles effortlessly, encompassing blues, pop and funk alongside well-loved jazz standard.

John cites the Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson as one of his favourites, and pays tribute to his band mates for the skills in which they come up with fresh arrangements.

“Tom is a rock drummer, and Adam plays in a funk fusion band. We’ve done really different things since playing together at school and when we come back together we bring those skills to our arrangements – not just jazz trio techniques.”

Eric Ainsworth has been playing to audiences for more than 60 years and has been performing at the Grand for the past six years.

His monthly residency, on the last Friday of each month, features Ken Marley (bass), Jimmy Scaife (drums) and, this month, they will be joined by Chris Carty (flugal horn/trumpet). This consummate quartet is fronted by the smooth vocals of singer Lynn Fairbanks.

Eric said: “It is marvellous to play at the Grand. Bringing in different instrumentalists each month always brings a new challenge which is good for the musicians and the audience.”

Lunchtime Live runs weekly on Fridays from September 12 until December 20 (12 noon until 2pm) apart from the first Friday of every month, when Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club hold their monthly session at the Atrium, Clitheroe (8pm start).

Food can be booked on an informal basis upon arrival though table reservations are recommended as the more popular guests often draw a sell-out crowd.

For a full season’s listing see www.thegrandvenue.co.uk or call 01200 421599.

Next year’s Ribble Valley Jazz Festival will run from May 1 to May 4, 2015.