Jazz musician Gordon Tetley is making a comeback at the grand old age of 71.

The veteran band leader has been a familiar figure on the Bradford music scene since the 1950s.

But he has been unable to perform for the past three years because of illness.

Now Gordon feels sprightly enough to get back behind his drum-kit and take to the stage again with his own big band.

"I will probably have to take it easy and play more gently than I used to do when I was younger," said Gordon, of Wellington Crescent, Shipley.

"I know my health isn't as good as it was, but I feel as well as I have done for a while and I get the feeling this is as good as it's going to get now at my age.

"Everybody in the band has kept it going so well while I've been away but I think the time is right for me to be back."

The Gordon Tetley Big Band is in full rehearsal again at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, ready to resume its old residency at the Bankfield Hotel in Bradford Road, Bingley.

The 16-piece band had a regular Monday night slot there for many years. It will kick off again in earnest next week with Gordon back at the helm.

"I have played on and off with them over the past three years but from now I shall be back with the band just as it used to be," said Gordon.

"From rehearsals I would say it really is better than ever. We have a real cross-section of music to please everyone."

The Gordon Tetley Big Band first formed in 1969, with members coming from as far afield as Harrogate and Leeds, although most are Bradford-based. And Gordon is already looking forward to celebrating a milestone next year which he never thought would arrive.

"It will be 30 years since we started so that will be quite an anniversary. We had a celebration after 25 years and had a wonderful time. I never thought it would last so long but people seem to enjoy it and we in the band certainly do," he said.

Admission to the big band sessions at 8.30pm on Monday nights, which begin on March 2, is free.

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