One of the UK's greatest disciples stylistically of John Coltrane, tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore, turns 80 today. Skidmore over the years has performed with Georgie Fame, John Mayall, Elvin Jones, Eric Clapton, Clark Terry, Stan Tracey, Van Morrison, Charlie Watts, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Weather Report and Dexter Gordon to name only a few. In the 60s be played with John Mayall and Alexis Korner later with his quintet featuring Kenny Wheeler representing the UK at the Montreux: Jazz Festival. Skid played at the invitation of the NDR Hamburg’s Jazz Workshop with Weather Report for TV broadcast and at Ronnie's with the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine. Alan was chosen to be the first European jazz musician to go on a British Council sponsored tour of South Africa, and has recorded three CDs with the African drum band Amampondo. In more recent years in July 2017 he featured at a special Cafe Oto memorial tribute concert marking the 50th anniversary of John Coltrane’s passing. Many happy returns!