NORTH Essex jazz drummer Crissy Lee makes a welcome to Mersea this weekend with an extra special gig.

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary female bid band leader Ivy Benson and with the reunion of some of the original band members for a special one-off concert in Bristol plus the re-emergence of interest in big band and swing music, what better time for Crissy to reform her own Big Band to celebrate the genre of music.

Crissy worked with Ivy from 1961 through to 1972 and during that time she also played with many established male bands honing her craft as she went along.

From an early age Crissy was recognised as a tremendous talent behind the drum kit and an American newspaper even went so far as to describe her as ‘the best kept secret in the UK’.

Taking her inspiration from well-known drummers like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, that secret was soon out there for the world to enjoy.

More recently Crissy became a familiar face on television as one of Frank Skinner’s Skinnerettes backing band on his popular chat show.

And in 1990 Crissy formed her own Big Band, inspired by and as a tribute to Ivy, and has continued to champion women in jazz following Ivy’s death in 1993.

The newly reformed Crissy Lee Big Band play the MICA Jazz Club, at the MICA centre, High Street, West Mersea, this Saturday, October 17, from 8pm.

Tickets are priced £20, available by calling 01206 384656.