A NEW season of jazz swings into action this September with a special tribute to Poole-based drummer, composer and music educator, Steve Harris.

Organisers promise "a smorgasbord of musical delights" on September 28 at the intimate Sherling studio at Lighthouse Poole.

The original line-up of Steve’s free improv outfit Zaum will unite for one night while Jan Kopinski, frontman of trailblazing nineties improv-funk outfit Pinski Zoo (of which Steve was a key member), will play solo and join Zaum.

The Heavens, the unique vocal group featuring Steve’s partner, singer Kathie Prince, and eldest daughter May Harris-Prince, will perform a couple of pieces and join the massed ensemble.

And finally, a specially convened Harris String Quartet will world premiere a new piece written in tribute to Steve by his old Dorset Music Service colleague, Aidan Fisher.

Next up on October 12 are the stars of the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Karen Sharp and Robert Fowler who join forces with two giants of the tenor saxophone – Al Cohn and Zoot Sims.

MOBO-nominated saxophonist and star of Jazz Jamaica Camilla George brings her quartet to Lighthouse on October 26. Dubbed the ‘golden girl of jazz’ by the Evening Standard, Camilla was born in Nigeria and grew up listening to Fela Kuti alongside Jackie McLean and Charlie Parker. She has handpicked an exciting band, showcasing some of London’s finest young players.

Fusing Arabic and Western musics, Natacha Atlas is a genuine world music superstar, having made her name with Transglobal Underground before releasing a string of acclaimed solo albums. Natacha has also recorded with Nitin Sawhney, Peter Gabriel, Ibrahim Maalouf and many others. Catch her at Lighthouse on 9 November, with support from Randolph Matthews.

US-born Jean Toussaint graduated from Berkley College and joined Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers before going on to lead his own bands across Europe and beyond. His great new quintet, which you can catch at Lighthouse on 23 November, is very much in the Blakey mould; amazing young players led by a fantastic leader.

Terry Seabrook’s all-star sextet Milestones reunite to perform Kind of Blue in its entirety at Lighthouse on 7 December, plus other classics in a celebration of the music of Miles Davis. The line-up reads like a “who’s who” of British jazz, with the fabulous Martin Shaw (Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Peter King, Tim Garland) taking on the Miles role, Lighthouse favourite and multi-award winner Alan Barnes on sax, along with the magnificent Andy Panayi. The band pays due respect to Miles’ original music whilst allowing the musicians to showcase their own brilliance and improvisational skills.

Heading into the new year, on 18 January legendary American tenor star Scott Hamilton returns to Lighthouse after a seven-year absence with his regular, all-star UK quartet. Scott regularly tours across Europe and beyond, playing mainstream jazz and standards of the highest quality. He has appeared on over 100 albums and was named ‘International Jazz Saxophonist of the Year ‘in the 2007 inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards.

As an extra bonus, jazz lovers can also look forward to Ronnie Scott’s All Stars in the Lighthouse Concert Hall on 25 October. Featuring classic music from the jazz greats who have performed at Ronnie Scott’s, alongside narration and projected archive images and rare footage from the club, The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook is a glimpse into this unique world and its incredible history. Hosted and performed by the award-winning Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, and led by the Club’s Musical Director, this unique evening celebrates the music and history of Ronnie Scott’s and is a must for any music fan.

Tickets for all events are on sale now at the Lighthouse ticket office. Call 01202 280000 or book online at www.lighthousepoole.co.uk