MEMBERS of Dorset's musical community and beyond are mourning the death of drummer, composer and music educator Steve Harris, who has lost a year-long battle against liver cancer.

Steve, 58, well-known locally as music development officer, was a founder member of Dorset Music Service's SoundStorm initiative.

He worked tirelessly with community groups and young musicians, few of whom realised he was also internationally recognised as a champion of modern jazz and improvisational music.

Friends say he put up such a brave fight in his final months that many were unaware he was ill. However, over Christmas, Steve, who Dorset SoundStorm colleague Dan Somogyi describes as "a wonderfully warm, gentle yet passionate man", suddenly deteriorated.

He died on Friday, January 11, surrounded by family and friends. He leaves a partner, Kathie, and daughters May, seven, and Bella, six.

His funeral takes place on Wednesday at St George's Church, Fordington, Dorchester.

Kathie and the family have asked people to bring a single flower and for any donations to be made to Cystic Fibrosis charities (cftrust.org.uk). Steve and Kathie's daughter May has CF.

There are also plans for a memorial concert in the spring, probably at St Aldhelm's Church, Poole, where Steve recorded his last album with his highly acclaimed band, Zaum.

Steve Harris will be remembered for the work he did for music across the conurbation, particularly with young people.

He also had an amazing parallel career as one of the UK's most acclaimed champions of improvised music and was well- known throughout the jazz world for his work in the 1980s and early 1990s with cult jazz and free funk band Pinski Zoo and, more recently, Zaum, which The Penguin Guide to Jazz described as "the most exciting band operating in Europe today".

Locally, he was best known for his work with SoundStorm, the music development arm of Dorset Music Service.

"Our aim was always to include as many young people as possible in making music," said Mr Somogyi.

"Since we set up SoundStorm in 2002, we have reached over 60,000 participants, from all sections of the community.

"Steve was also involved in the local community music scene, setting up the Safehouse musicians collective at Lighthouse, the annual Unsafe Festival of Improvised and Experimental Music, Upton House Family Fun Day and much more.