FOR someone who's widely considered the torchbearer of Britain's jazz scene, Courtney Pine is refreshingly humble. "I've only just started mate!" he says with a laugh. "I've got a long way to go, really. I'm still just a beginner."

While that may be debatable, there's no denying the saxophonist's achievements over the past decade or so.

Besides a string of critically-acclaimed albums that have seen him work with some of music's biggest stars, Courtney received an OBE in 2000 for his outstanding contribution to British music.

He calls the honour his biggest career highlight so far, saying: "To be the only black jazz artist to receive an OBE is pretty amazing."

No newcomer to the UK jazz scene, the saxophonist's 1987 debut, Journey to the Urge Within, was the first serious jazz album to make the British Top40.

It established Courtney as the scene's rising star and led to a career-defining performance at Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium.

"That was amazing," he recounts. "It gives you strength to play in front of somebody like that. It was truly inspiring."

Courtney's music draws on many different influences, including reggae and hip hop. His collaborations with some of the country's leading drum and bass DJs have caused consternation amongst jazz purists.

Having your work remixed by the likes of Roni Size and 4 Hero isn't in keeping with jazz music's staid image.

"The purists didn't like me crossing over," says Courtney. "They wanted me to go away but I think the path I've taken is the correct one. It shows the openess of the scene.

"My alliance (with drum 'n' bass) is because I enjoy the music. I don't think it's done me any favours.

"How many drum 'n' bass songs have hit the charts? Five or six, maybe?"

While his music attracts ever-increasing admirers, Courtney dismisses the notion that jazz is suddenly de rigeur.

"I think it's always been accessible, it's just been marketed in a strange place," he says.

"It's up to the media, really. When it comes right down to it, they can focus on jazz or they can focus on Kylie Minogue. Unfortunately, Kylie wins out every time."

The son of Jamaican immigrants, Courtney's love of jazz was a result of a childhood spent listening to the likes of Bob Marley, John Coltrane and Ian Dury. In other words, anything with a sax solo.

"My parents used to listen to a lot of ska and reggae, but I found it more interesting to listen to the B-sides, which were jazz musicians doing solo sessions. I loved to listen to those."

The list of artists with whom the multi-instrumentalist has collaborated reads like a who's who of the industry.

Mick Jagger, Elton John, Talvin Singh, Guru and Madonna have all featured guest appearances from the London-based father of four.

Not surprisingly, Courtney's current favourites are a diverse mix of underground dub plates and commercial classics.

"I find myself listening to a lot of hip-hop, but I'm also into David Bowie's Heathen, the Doves, and Shy FX."

The new millennium saw the release of his album Back in the Day which featured some of Britain's hottest soul and r'n'b stars including Lynden David Hall, Kele le Roc and Beverley Knight.

Courtney also recorded and presented a radio series for BBC Radio 2 called Courtney Pine's Jazz Crusade.

This was followed by Courtney Pine's Global Jazz Tour which saw him exploring territories of musical and cultural interest through the eyes of a musician.

He also recently completed a tour celebrating the Commonwealth Games.

Courtney says it was an honour to be asked to organise such a culturally diverse undertaking.

"It's such a great opportunity to do something good," he says. "Hearing those involved talk about what the Commonwealth means to them was outstanding."

The tour played venues throughout Britain leading up to the Games and featured a host of musicians from Commonwealth nations.

Written by Marc Skulnick