I HAVE been playing drums for more than 50 years, as a professional and semi-professional, in all types of musical ensembles from big bands to organ/drum duos.

During that time I have had the great privilege of being an integral part of rhythm sections which featured some terrific bass players. Steve Berry is the best.

Blackburn-based Steve is one of a fast-disappearing breed, a double bassist who, whenever possible, eschews the dreaded 'plank' -- as the electric bass is widely known among 'musos'.

But it would be wrong to describe him as merely a bassist; he is a soloist of phenomenal ability whose services are in constant demand by all manner of combos.

He sight reads, too, which means he can work with any band or orchestra, no matter how big or small, and no matter what music they are playing, from classical to pop.

I first met Steve on a very laid back trio job, playing at a wedding reception. I'd heard all about him of course (in this business good news travels almost as fast as bad!) and was gobsmacked at the way he managed to turn even the most sedate musical offerings into an exhilarating experience. He swings. And then some.

Since then our paths have crossed on a number of occasions, most recently at a Jazz Jamboree in Bolton where he was a member of the awesome Steve Moore Trio backing world class jazzers Mark Nightingale (trombone) and Ben Castle (tenor).

Steve Berry first came to prominence in the 1980s as one of the founder members of Loose Tubes, a brilliant inventive combo which toured, recorded and broadcast extensively throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.

He moved to Lancashire in 1989 and during the 1990s became increasingly involved in education. He currently teaches double bass and leads improvisation classes at both The Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. He is Director of Burnley Jazz Summer School and bass and ensemble tutor at a number of others.

Locally, besides his hectic gigs schedule, Steve is best known for his role as Musical Director of the Jam Factory, a community music project, currently funded by a grant from the National Lottery.

The orchestra numbers more than 40 players from all walks of life and from places as far afield as Leeds, Bradford and Keighley as well as Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley and Rossendale.

Founded in 1997 as the Blackburn element of a project which included two other similar bands in the Lancaster and Burnley districts, Jam Factory was a partnership between Blackburn, Burnley and Lancaster Councils with funding from the North West Arts Board.

That came to an end in May, 1999, and the orchestra was for a while funded on a day to day basis by Blackburn with Darwen Council with band members contributing to expenses by paying subscriptions.

Since February of this year, the Jam Factory has been operating on Regional Lottery Funding, which has assured its immediate future and provided scope for a much more ambitious programme.

Its latest concert was at Burnley Mechanics last Sunday and on February 23 there will be a special performance at Darwen Library Theatre with guests Mike Walker (guitar) and Iain Dixon (tenor).