WHEN no less a musician than Sir John Dankworth describes a fellow player as “brilliant” you’d be mad not to sit up and pay attention.

And when that player, who happens to be tenor saxophonist Ian Ellis, joins forces with Craig Milverton, one of Britain’s leading jazz pianists, you’d be even madder not to come and see them play.

Luckily you don’t have to wait too long to do just that– the newly formed Ian Ellis Quartet will be playing Ilminster Arts Centre on Friday, September 25.

The Quartet, which also comprises Al Swainger on bass and Coach York on drums, plays a irresistible mix of original material and re-invented standards.

The line-up has performed at top venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott's and the 606 club, as well as jazz festivals like Glasgow and Saarbrucken.

In this latest show, Ian pays tribute to Billy Strayhorn, the brilliant composer who was Duke Ellington’s right hand man through his most creative years with his Orchestra. Classic tunes include Lush Life, Isfahan and Duke’s signature tune Take The 'A' Train.

Ian Ellis has worked as a professional jazz saxophonist since 1985 and has performed live and recorded with stars such as Ruby Turner, Victoria Newton, Artoro Sandoval, and Rumer. Jazz Wise Magazine has hailed him as a “virtuoso saxophonist, one of our very best”.

Craig Milverton is an award winning jazz pianist and "the best pianist to come along in Britain in the last 2 decades, and the nearest to the great Oscar Peterson", according to Digby Fairweather.

The concert on September 25 starts at 8pm and tickets are priced £14. A pre-show supper – which has to be booked in advance – from 7pm is also available at an extra cost of £12 per person.

For more details contact the box office on 01460-54973.