Songbird Tina set to make waves on pier (From Gazette)

Jazz concert at new cultural centre in Southend

5:00pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Sound Check By Hannah Marsh

SHE’S received high praise for her smooth vocals and jazz songstress Tina May will be among the stars performing at the sparkling new Pier Cultural Centre at a special jazz concert this week.
Saturday will see Tina join  top names, including Southend’s own jazz master cornet player Digby Fairweather, the prestigious London Jazz Sinfonia, which sports a host of musicians who are all stars in their own rights including tenor sax player Karen Sharp and conductor John Jansson.
The concert will also see the talents of clarinet player Julian Marc Stringle and bass player Alec Dankworth, the son of jazz legends Cleo Laine and the late John Dankworth.
There will also be a treat for jazz fans in the form of compere for the evening, legendary producer Ken Barnes, who lives in Benfleet.
In his day, he worked with Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Fred Astaire and Johnny Mercer, so will have plenty of stories to keep the  audience  entertained. The concert takes on a theme of nocturnes and seascapes. The ticket prices includes a ride up the pier to the  new venue on the pier train.
l Jazz on the Pier: Nocturnes and Seascapes takes place this Saturday July 28 at 7pm. Tickets are £22, including train fare. Call 01702 618747.