IT’S the only traditional jazz gig in town.

The Savannah Jazz Band has wowed crowds throughout Europe and their monthly gig in Golcar is the only regular jazz night in the whole of Kirklees.

And after 30 years they’re still going strong.

Savannah is one of Britain’s foremost traditional jazz bands, playing music in the New Orleans style.

The six-piece outfit is not only in great demand at the country’s top festivals, but regularly tours abroad and has a huge European following.

But on Thursday they’ll be in their monthly residence at the Golcar British Legion.

Band leader and drummer John Meehan said: “We’ve been playing at Golcar for six years now, but before that we’d been playing at the Station Tavern in St George’s Square for 25 years.

“We play New Orleans jazz – it was very popular in the 1950s and 60s and we’re trying to bring it to a wider audience now.

“It’s still got its appeal – it may not be heavy rock but it’s happy music which everyone can enjoy and it’s a lot of fun too.”

The band, backed by jazz label Lake Records, has released CDs and has also logged on to technology with Savannah Radio available on their website.

Three members of the band have been playing with it almost from its inception – trombonist and occasional pianist Brian Ellis, Tony Pollitt (string bass) and leader John Meehan.

Rod Chambers came in to replace the late Martin Fox on clarinet, Bill Smith ultimately taking over on cornet from his namesake Tony with Louis Lince sitting in the banjoist’s chair so long occupied by Jack Cooper.

Recently they have appeared overseas at festivals in Germany and Majorca and have twice cruised the Rhine. So far this year they have completed two tours of Holland and one of Denmark and their music has been heard live by jazz lovers when they played in Canada.

The Savannah Jazz Band play at the Golcar British Legion Club, Scar Lane, on the first Thursday of the month with their next gig on August 6 starting at 8.30pm Admission is £5 on the door.