A POPULAR performer will be providing the entertainment at a forthcoming concert.

North Wales Jazz will offer a warm welcome to the Billy Thompson Trio, with special guest Ivor Aldred (harmonica), to the White House, in Rhuallt, on Wednesday, May 8.

With its special mix of Hot Club numbers made famous by Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt, plus glorious straight ahead tunes all led by one of the UK's most striking jazz violinists, this is a band not to be missed.

Denbighshire Free Press: Billy ThompsonBilly Thompson

A finalist in the UK’s young jazz musician of the year competitions in 1996 and 1998, jazz violinist Billy Thompson was promptly engaged by Jules Holland to perform with him at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

He went on to become an integral member of seminal jazz/rock outfit Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, with whom he has headlined twice at London’s Ronnie Scott’s, performed an extremely successful tour of Japan, and has toured Europe extensively and featured on five of the band’s albums.

One of the foremost exponents of gypsy jazz violin, Billy's time in London saw him play with some of the best guitarists of the genre, including the Dutch gypsy maestro Lollo Meier, plus outstanding guitarists Nils Solberg, Tim Robinson, Robin Katz and Pete Sheppard.

He has played on the main stage at one of the most prestigious gypsy music events in the world, the International Gypsy Guitar Festival in Gossington, Gloucestershire, and has worked with many greats from the UK, Europe and the United States, including Gary Potter, John Etheridge, Andreas Oberg and Martin Taylor.

Completing the line-up are Andy Mackenzie (guitar) and Greg Robley (double bass), with special guest Ivor Aldred (harmonica), who featured on Billy's album The Eberle Sessions, a recording which demonstrates why this is one of the hottest bands on the circuit.

The May 8 performance commences at 8pm and admission is £8, with concessions at £7 and entry for school children is £3.

Further information is available from North Wales Jazz on 01745 812260 and at www.northwalesjazz.org.uk