Gay McIntyre, saxophonist, clarinettist and one of Derry's most famous and loved sons, turned down Nat 'King' Cole when he was a teenager. Sixty years later and he hasn't slowed down. This month he'll play five arts centre dates in Northern Ireland with a band fifty years his junior featuring John Leighton (piano), David Lyttle (drums) and Rohan Armstrong (bass). Singers Susanne Savage and Victoria Geelan will also appear on various dates. John Leighton has been working with Gay in recent months and arranged the tour.

"I find Gay a real joy to work with. He is a great example of how it's possible to play on a really high level and remain active in a local setting. He is a real inspiration to me."