NAMED British Jazz's rising star two years ago, a young musician from Newmill has become the first woman to join the band of a legendary figure.

Amy Roberts, a 22-year-old, currently studying classical music at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, will spend much of the next month touring round Europe with the nine-strong Big Chris Barber Band, playing shows with other famous trad names like Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk.

Chris Barber, now 80, has been a leading figure in the British jazz scene for 60 years and has played with the likes of Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters and Jools Holland. He invited Amy to join the band last autumn, replacing Zoltan Sagi.

Amy plays saxophone, clarinet and flute and despite her young age has already played all over the UK and abroad at clubs and top festivals.

Sessions

Her love of mainstream jazz comes from her parents, Eric and Kath, who used to take her occasionally to venues like the Smugglers at St Erth and the Falmouth Packet at Rosudgeon for jazz sessions organised by Cornwall's 51 Jazz Club.

The RNCM's tutors have been very supportive in allowing Amy to take time off to join the band – she completed her academic work for January and February before Christmas so that she could join the Band for the tour in Germany.

A deputy will play with the band during March, May and June whilst Amy is back at College but she will join the band full time from July.

For more information check out Amy's myspace site: www.myspace.com/jazzamyroberts