SNAKE Davis, one of the world’s top saxophone players, is blowing into Glusburn on Saturday April 27.

He and his band will be playing 25 classic songs that are known the world over for the iconic saxophone solos at their heart.

The solos on many of these hit singles were by Snake himself, such as A Million Love Songs, Moving On Up, Search For The Hero and Lisa Stansfield’s Change.

Along with these will be songs from across the decades including Baker Street, Careless Whisper, Respect and Yakety Yak.

A spokesman said: “Snake is one of the world’s most respected and in-demand saxophone players, working with some of music’s biggest artists such as Eurythmics, M People, George Michael, Take That, Cher, Tina Turner and Beyonce.

“Keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and sax, sultry sax, searing sax, screaming sax, sexy sax, soulful sax, this show has it all.”

During his career Snake has toured the world with Lisa Stansfield, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart and played with James Brown, Paul McCartney and Tina Turner.

He wrote the saxophone solo on Take That’s hit record A Million Love Songs, earning £18 for his contribution as a session musician even though the single is regularly voted one of the most romantic love songs of all time.

Snake first picked up a sax at the age of 20, taking a diploma course in jazz and light music at Leeds College of Music funded by busking and gig money.

He formed a nine-piece band, Snake Davis And His Alligator Shoes, playing 60s soul music with the sax taking the vocal parts.

After college, Snake spent several years travelling, playing on cruise boats then briefly setting up home in Brooklyn, getting tuition from hot players and visiting some of the best jazz clubs in America.

Back in England, he joined the soul revue band Zoot and the Roots and started his long career as a session musician. He has now recorded more than 400 tracks for over 60 artists.

The hugely popular Classic Sax Solos tour is in its third year and sees Snake play as part of a five-piece band.

A spokesman said: “Imagine a room full of the saxophone greats: Junior Walker, King Curtis, Clarence Clemmons, Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker and more. Snake can deliver them all; challenging – yes, but he completely nails it.

“What’s more, he also tells you a bit more about them, fascinating facts and insights into the music we already love.”

Visit gigac.org.uk or call 01535 630223 to book tickets for Snake Davis at Glusburn Institute Community and Arts Centre.