THE SOUNDS of the famous American trumpet maestro Harry James will be echoing round Hornchurch this month. The musician who was once married to Betty Grable, was a feature of the Big Bands in the states, and in the UK, we have our own version in Freddy St

THE SOUNDS of the famous American trumpet maestro Harry James will be echoing round Hornchurch this month.

The musician who was once married to Betty Grable, was a feature of the Big Bands in the states, and in the UK, we have our own version in Freddy Staff.

Freddy is bringing his band, The Manhattan Swing Band, to the Queen's Theatre, and celebrating 58 years in the business this year.

Freddy is also one of the elite few musicians who feature regularly as a session man, as well as known internationally as the British version of the great American trumpeter James.

He was the first to be called when another legendary band leader, Joe Loss, wanted to produce a long playing album featuring the American Big Bands, with Freddy fronting the band in what has become a collectors piece.

Freddy and the band with vocalist, Lee Gibson, will be at the Billet Lane theatre, on Sunday June 22 with tickets at £16 available from the box office on 01708 443333.