Sammy Rimington is undoubtedly one of the very finest jazz musicians that the UK has produced and certainly the most prominent and internationally acclaimed within the field of New Orleans Jazz.

Sammy is recognised throughout the world as the finest living exponent of New Orleans Style Jazz Reed playing. His clarinet playing is justly famous, being based upon the great George Lewis, with whom he studied in New Orleans, and his saxophone playing (alto and tenor) has many echoes of New Orleans greats such as 'Captain' John Handy and Emmanuel Paul.

But Sammy is no more copyist, there is a very definite personal quality in his playing, particularly on clarinet, whereby he had combined the 'bite' and drive of original New Orleans clarinettists with a special delicacy.

An immaculate player with both formidable technique and very direct soulful expression, he is regarded by many as the supreme player of Hymns and Spirituals, which he always features strongly in concerts.

His saxophone playing contains many 'surprising elements' reflecting later and developments in jazz, but always with taste and feeling, and securely anchored into the New Orleans idiom.

In fact Sammy is living proof of the vitality and creative potential of New Orleans Music, and has many fans amongst the 'contemporary' jazz fraternity too.

Sammy began his career as a teenager in South East London in the late 1950s, playing with the Minter Brothers (K and B). He quickly achieved national recognition in 1960 when he was 'talent spotted' by none other than Ken Colyer, who invited him to join his celebrated band, following in the footsteps of Ian Wheeler.

Sammy astonished 'hardened' New Orleans Jazz fans everywhere with his incredible ability (still a teenager) and made many very highly regarded records with Ken.

After five years, Sammy made the 'pilgrimage' to New Orleans where he learnt first hand from the great originals, especially George Lewis, who went to great trouble to instruct him in the 'finer points' of New Orleans Jazz clarinet and became a treasured friend.

The following years have seen Sammy consolidate and strengthen his reputation as a great international jazz celebrity, star of festivals all over Europe (USA and Japan too). He has frequently played with Cuff Billett, and teamed up with Ken Colyer, again in the '70s. Sammy has countless records to his name, many with great New Orleans originals, and has also performed with just about everybody of significance.

In addition, to his reed playing, Sammy is a very talented multi-instrumentalist, playing mandolin, guitar and also flute. He even led his own progressive rock band about 1970, and appears on skiffle recordings with Ken Colyer (on mandolin).

All in all, a truly great jazz personality, one who proves beyond doubt that New Orleans Jazz is a truly international means of expression, and a creative artist that Britain should be very proud of.

He is a huge asset to any jazz festival that he appears at.

The Ken Colyer Trust New Orleans Jazz Band with Sammy as special guest, will be performing in a Jubilee Jazz Concert at Saundersfoot's Regency Hall on Saturday, June 12. Admission is £8.50 and for further information and tickets, contact Brian Lang on 812810.