TOMMASO Starace is an Italian saxophone player who has been hailed as one of the new young lions of jazz to look out for.

Now, Somerset’s jazz fans won’t have to travel too far to find him. Tommaso and his highly acclaimed UK quartet (he has an Italian one too) will be bringing their swinging, dynamic performance style to Ilminster Arts Centre.

Born in Milan in 1975, Tommaso began playing the sax at the age of 18, moving to the UK where he studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and later at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He has recorded 5 albums under his own name and has appeared at numerous jazz festivals, both in the UK and in Europe, and has performed with respected jazz musicians such as Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann, Jim Mullen, Paolo Pellegatti, and Gianni Giudici.

In 2004 Tommaso collaborated with award winning Oscar film composer Dario Marianelli (‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Atonement’), recording music for the TV drama ‘This Little Life’.

Tommaso’s talent has not gone unnoticed by the critics –, he has been spotted as a distinctive new artist (“Starace is Star material” according to jazz author Ian Carr), while the Evening Standard has praised his saxophone skills, saying “He plays alto and soprano sax with impressive post-Parkerian felicity and Italian flair”.

Supporting Tommaso will be some of Britain's best known jazz musicians: Frank Harrison on piano, Laurence Cottle on bass and Chris Nickolls on drums.

The quartet will be playing jazz in a straightforward hard-bop modern style, heavily influenced by Cannonball Adderley.

It will be a unmissable opportunity to enjoy the latest and best in contemporary jazz, right here in the heart of Ilminster!

Friday, June 10 at 8pm. Tickets: £15 (pre-show supper £13 at 7pm, booked in advance). Box Office: 01460 54973