FOLLOWING the sell-out concerts last year featuring Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth and Stacey Kent, the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne continues its series of high-profile jazz gigs with a performance by award-winning singer Claire Martin on Friday night (Sept 17).

Rated as one of the top jazz singers in the country, Claire studied singing with Verona Chard in London and with Marilyn Johnson in New York before embarking on the QE2 and Cunard Princess to cut her teeth at sea, singing in the Theatre Bar for almost two years.

By the time she returned to dry land she was working with the best in the business.

She formed her first quartet with guitar virtuoso Jim Mullen and pianist Jon Gee and was soon opening for Tony Bennett.

She hasn't looked back since.

In March 1996, Claire appeared as guest vocalist alongside legendary violinist Stephane Grappelli and more recently she played host to Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher when he guested on one of her albums.

For the past four years Claire has presented the jazz magazine show Jazz Line Up for BBC Radio 3, interviewing such high-profile musicians as Michael Brecker, Tania Maria, Andre Previn, Joe Locke, Hugh Masekela, Mike Stern and Pat Martino.