THE Turner Sims Concert Hall has decided to celebrate its 30th anniversary season in style.

The music venue is thinking big for its jazz season line-up, with big names, big sounds and big reputations.

The season includes appearances by legends Sam Rivers and Kenny Wheeler as well as trio of the moment The Bad Plus.

Ian Shaw visits Southampton fresh from his triumph at the 2004 BBC Jazz Awards, while the proceedings open with Tom Bancroft's Orchestro Interrupto and American star pianist Geri Allen.

Legendary saxophonist and composer Sam Rivers visits as part of a Contemporary Music Network tour and brings with him not only his trio but also the Rivbea Orchestra UK, a specially recruited British big band.

Trumpeter Kenny Wheeler celebrates his 75th birthday in style in 2005 with a performance on January 18, featuring an all-star line-up of guests.

Bassist Dave Holland, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Evan Parker and vocalist Norma Winstone form the chamber group for the night.

Tom Bancroft's Orchestro Interrupto includes a remarkably varied collection of soloists - Claude Deppa, Joost Buis, Colin Steele, Chick Lyall and Oren Marshall - and opens the season on Saturday, October 9, with a new work commissioned by BBC Radio 3.

Special guest for the night is pianist Geri Allen making one of her first appearances in the UK since the release of her latest Telarc disc, The Life of a Song.

Tickets for the jazz series go on sale from Monday from the Turner Sims box office.

For more information call 023 8059 5151.