A GRAMMY nominated jazz star who is still performing at 88 is heading back home to Greenock to perform for the first time in 60 years.

Legendary saxophonist and songwriter Duncan Lamont is savouring a return to the town where he grew up.

He'll play a special concert at the Beacon Arts Centre on Sunday June 16 at 8pm.

Despite working with the likes of Frank Sinatra as a member of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ band, plus Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Count Basie and Paul McCartney during his glittering career, the veteran musician still has the passion for performing and writing.

Speaking exclusively to the Tele, Duncan said: "I haven't been to Greenock for probably about 60 years.

"It's been a long time coming.

"About 25 years ago I was supposed to have a concert in Greenock and I was in New York and got viral pneumonia so that was the only time I was invited up there.

"It's really nice to be able to come back.”

The multi-talented musician originally started playing trumpet in Greenock from the age of 13 at house parties.

However, after winning a competition he left work in the shipyards to join Kenny Graham’s ‘Afro Cubists’ in London.

He switched to playing tenor saxophone and became a busy studio musician.

Duncan’s television work included playing for Cilla Black, Norman Wisdom and Bob Monkhouse’s The Golden Shot.

His vast catalogue features music for TV show The Sweeney and children’s programme Mr Benn in the 1970s.

One of his most treasured possessions is a letter from inimitable dancer and actor Fred Astaire, who had responded expressing his enjoyment at a song Duncan wrote for him and named after him.

Despite all his achievements, including Grammy-nominated songs, Duncan will fulfil a long-time ambition by finally performing back home in Greenock.

He will be accompanied on stage by a band and two of London’s finest jazz singers in Esther Bennett and Daniela Clynes, performing the ‘Duncan Lamont Songbook’.

He said: "The songwriting is another thing entirely in my career.

"I still do it.

"We're still doing gigs and things because the girls sing my songbook as it were and it's lovely.

"There's been a variety of singers over the years and they're all great. I consider it a great compliment that they actually spend time singing songs of mine.”

The concert takes place on Sunday June 16 at 8pm.

For tickets, priced £12, visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk or call 723723.