THE future of jazz is right here in Southampton and it's nearly all at the hands of one man.

Twenty-four-year-old pianist Leon Greening has burst on to the national scene after outplaying all his rivals from across the South.

Leon came through the regional final of the Royal & SunAlliance 1999 Young Jazz Musician of the Year with flying colours, winning £500 in the process.

Staged at Eastleigh's Concorde Club, the challenge saw Leon pitched against five other finalists - whittled down from 50 entrants - but won over the judges with scorching renditions of Celia Bod and the ballad Portrait of Jenny.

"I'm honoured to have won, all of the contestants were really very good. I certainly wouldn't have liked to have been the judge," said Leon.

Kent-based tenor saxophonist Paul Booth came in a close second, playing All the Things You Are and Spring is Here, to win £200.

But all eyes are now on Leon and the national final - compered by Jools Holland - which will see him in the run-ning to win £1,000 and a week's residency at the globally renowned Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London.

Leon added: "I'm going to get my head down and put some hard work in beforehand. It's a great challenge and I hope everyone in Southampton will have their fingers crossed for me."

Peter Deane, marketing manager of Royal & SunAlliance said: "The standard of performance was extremely high on the night - Leon is a wonderfully talented pianist. I'm looking forward to hearing him play again in the national final."

The final will be televised and takes place at London's Kentish Town Forum on June 9.

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