CHRIS Barber came, saw and conquered at the Marine Hall this week -- delighting a packed audience who didn't mind a bit his small break with tradition in this trad-jazz performance.

The small break came in the form of a minor change in his excellent band's formation -- Chris has added a guitarist and sax/clarinet to the more recognised combo of trombone, trumpet, clarinet, bass, drums and banjo.

Asked the reason for the new line up during the interval, Chris simply responded: "Because I like it!"

And so did the crowd. This is not Chris's first time in Fleetwood and he and his band settled comfortably into a demanding two-hour delivery (with a half-hour break) of all, sorry most, of the old favourites. Chris now in his late 60s still maintains the services of his trumpeter of 40 years, Pat Halcox and between them crafted a well-balanced set the highlight of which was St Louis Blues.

The band has just returned from Germany and are playing just a few dates before setting off to Norway for the Haugesund Jazz Festival where the sets will be delivered in smaller, bar-type venues.

It's a testament to both the band and the acoustics at the Marine Hall that none of this intimacy was lost at the weekend.

High points -- midway through the second set the slide on Chris's trombone slid off and was seamlessly replaced to the delight of the audience. Low point -- no Chimes Blues!