AS TRAILED in last Thursday's Lowe Down column, tomorrow night from 8pm, the Grand Hotel in Torquay is to be the setting for a special one-off appearance by the Devon-based Dire Straits tribute outfit Dire Traits.

The band is performing at the event at a reduced rate because proceeds from the evening are being donated to the Fourth Teignmouth Scouts.

Tickets are £15 each and they are being sold on a first-come first-served basis by calling either Geoff on 01626 778469, or Kevin on 01626 775879. Tickets are also available via the Dire Traits website at www.diretraitsgrandconcert.webs.com

MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST Jim Hart returns by popular demand to Speakeasy Jazz at the Farmhouse Tavern in Torquay next Wednesday evening.

Speakeasy founder and spokesman Colin Hedworth said: "We're welcoming the return of vibraphonist, pianist and drummer Jim Hart on February 10 when he'll be playing vibes alongside the James Clemas Trio.

"Although still a young man, Hart has progressed far in his comparatively short professional life.

"He began playing piano and drums at the age of four, and by the time he was 11 he was playing both instruments in the Tamar Youth Jazz Orchestra. At that time, he was also playing percussion in the Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra and the Cornwall Youth Percussion Ensemble.

"At 16 Jim Hart began studying for his A-Levels at Chetham's School of Music. While attending Chetham's, he was a percussion finalist in the BBC's Young Musician of the Year competition. He then went on to win the John Dankworth Award for most promising musician in the BBC's Big Band competition.

"After finishing his studies at Chetham's, Hart moved on to study at the Guildhall School of Music in London. Soon after leaving the GSM he was appointed as the drummer for National Youth Jazz Orchestra and, in his spare time, he became the vibes player with Martin Drew's Jazz Couriers.

"In addition to studying with Dave Hassel and Steve Berry while at Chetham's, plus the many renowned teachers and visiting tutors at the Guildhall School of Music, Jim Hart has, since his graduation, had some teaching experience of his own in workshop environments.

"He has also been an assistant tutor on Wavendon, and has assisted Scott Stroman in a number of primary school workshops. Similarly, Hart has been a regular guest at workshops around the country with the NYJO. Although not a jazz project, Jim is currently working for the Guildhall's Connect project."

Next Wednesday evening's concert begins at 8.30pm. Admission is £8 for Speakeasy Jazz members, and £10 per person for non members. Tickets will be available on the door on the night.

BLUES South West founder and spokesman Julian Piper has been in touch with news of an event he's staging at the Globe Hotel in Topsham this weekend.

Julian said: "Aussie guitar wizard Jeff Lang returns by public demand to The Globe on Saturday evening.

"Seeing him in action has been compared to a sacred event. In fact, for many he is The Man.

"Playing lap slide guitar and accompanied by long-time sidekick Grant Cumerford on bass, Jeff Lang draws on the roots of Americana, weaving a musical tapestry that is as fiercely original as it is moving.

"Jeff is the undisputed godfather of the Australia-based back-to-basics blues movement that now encompasses the John Butler Trio and Ash Grunwald. Miss him at your peril."

Advance tickets to the event at £10 each are available from the Joel Segal Bookshop (Tel: 01392 877895) or from Julian Piper on 01392 873407.

THIS coming week's country music programme across South Devon includes tomorrow night's guest appearance by Livewire at the Rebel Country CWMC at the Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road in Newton Abbot.

Admission is £6 per person and all telephone inquiries about the club and its activities are being handled on 01803 299567.

Looking ahead to next Wednesday evening, the Blazing Saddles CWMC at the Cavendish Hotel, Belgrave Road in Torquay, plays host to the ever popular Yorkie.

Admission on the night is £5 per person and all telephone inquiries about the club and its activities are being handled on 01803 401671.

TRUE to form, the live music line-up for the coming week at Ryan's Bar on Abbey Road in Torquay is nothing if not varied.

For starters, tomorrow night features a debut visit to the venue by the acoustic blues duo Lauren Crystal and Simon Lane.

Then, by complete contrast, Saturday evening at Ryan's is a multi-band Punk Nite featuring Hacksaw, plus Rage CD, The Infirm and Husbands and Knives. As usual, Tuesday at Ryan's Bar is the venue's weekly Acoustic Night and, similarly, Wednesday is Blues Night.