SNAKE Davis’ dazzling flair has propelled him from Clitheroe’s Rolling Thunder Club, to a CV that reads like a Who’s Who of pop music: M People, Paul Young, Soul II Soul, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, The Pet Shop Boys and Ray Charles.

He even fronted New York band Zoot and the Roots as he conquered the world with his golden saxophone.

But all the glamour and excitement means nothing to the man who remains a musician at heart.

“The most exciting and meaningful thing I do in my musical life is to play live and Clitheroe has a special place in my heart,” said saxophonist Davis.

“Every time I visit there I get a wonderfully warm reception, it is always a very spontaneous crowd at the Grand Theatre.

“I’ve done the Ribble Valley Jazz Festival before and that was fantastic.

“It is one of my favourite places to play in the world.”

He added: “It is all very well performing in front of 50,000 somewhere, but I’d rather be playing my own music in front of a few hundred in Clitheroe.”

Snake returns to the Ribble Valley by popular demand, showcasing pop’s classic tunes on the sax.

Joined by Gareth Moulton - lead singer of Cutting Crew - on vocals, Snake and his band will deliver 20 classic tunes, from Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street to George Michael’s Careless Whisper and Lisa Stansfield’s Change.

Snake calls his beloved bronze coloured saxophone ‘the golden beastie’.

“I’m one of those lucky people who found their dream through music,” said Snake.

“Up until my late teens music was a hobby, just a bit of fun with my pals. I played guitar, piano and I sang a bit.

“I learnt some James Taylor and Joni Mitchell songs, played in folk clubs and then went off to university.

“I was 19 when I discovered the sax, and within a couple of months of having the golden beastie my life changed and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

These days, Snake remains in demand from the biggest names on the music scene.

He was resident saxophonist on Tonight With Jonathan Ross, and has also worked with James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan and The Spice Girls.

“I look back to those very special days, playing saxophone for M-People as they hit the big time with anthems Moving on Up and Search for the Hero - and the career door swung open for me,” he said.

“My first love was Northern and Sixties’ soul, music flows through me.”

Snake Davis Band, Classic Sax Solos, The Grand, Clitheroe, Friday, July 14. Details from 01200 421599.