By Eifion Jenkins

JAZZ fans turned out in force for the big gig in Narberth's celebration of 30 years of jazz in the town on Thursday (March 23).

The jazz genre is pretty wide in scope but saxman and composer Tim Garland comes with an impeccable pedigree, from his early days with the Ronnie Scott Band and later collaborations with the likes of fusion pianist Chick Corea and flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia.

Those influences remain a rich seam in Garland's virtuosic Electric Quartet in the shape of guitarist Ant Law, Israeli percussionist Asaf Sirkis and Jason Rebello, whose keys – outside two decades of partnership with Garland – have been a feature of line-ups with such diverse stars as Sting and Jeff Beck.

From the soothing melodic territory of 'Bright New Year' off their latest album 'One', through the 10-time Middle Eastern rhythms of 'Sama'i for Peace' to a Billie Holiday ballad, there was something here for allcomers on the jazz spectrum.

Very capable support for a truly special gig came from students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.

SpanJazz continues its temporary relocation to the Queens Hall on April 13 when there is a unique chance to see how a large band take a set of arrangements and mould them into a fully realised performance.

A new nine piece group under the leadership of Jim Luxton, invite you to eavesdrop on their process, from first sight of the music to final perfection. There will also be a showing of a short documentary film on the life of pianist Bill Evans.