Very Saxy

The return of the Mingus Big Band, which played at Vicar Street earlier this year, is notable for two reasons. One is the fact that it's Note Productions' first venture outside the capital, since it's down to play at Limerick University tomorrow. The other is that one of the finest saxophonists this country has ever produced, Michael Buckley, has been asked to join the band's high-calibre sax section, which includes the veteran John Stubblefield and Seamus Blake, the well-regarded young tenor, born in London of Irish parents and brought up in America, who graced the Cork Jazz Festival several years ago. Buckley will also play in the band for two nights at Ronnie Scott's world-famous jazz club in London.