London trio in Moray gig

MORAY Jazz Club will welcome a London trio to Elgin next month.

Widely respected on the jazz circuit south of the border, Louise Balkwill formed her first jazz ensemble at age 17. Nowadays, she performs regularly in London and New Orleans.

The singer will appear alongside trumpet "prodigy" Tim Quicke and pianist Neil Birse for an uplifting night of vibrant jazz on Thursday, February 20.

Born into a family of musicians, Louise was raised as a multi-instrumentalist before turning to singing as a teenager. She has been hailed as one of London's most exciting up-and-coming jazz singers, known for her heartfelt, blues-infused renditions of hidden gems from The Great American Songbook.

Currently on tour, she was the voice of the Fountain Jazz Orchestra which performed their Christmas concerts at St Giles Church in recent years.

Legendary trumpeter Leroy Jones has described her voice as "pure soul, swing and fire". Her vocal style is inspired by past and present jazz greats and her regular visits to New Orleans, where she can be found singing alongside living legends such as Jones, Shannon Powell and Kermit Ruffins.

The club hopes the gig will showcase the best in young jazz players and encourage more young people to take an interest in the art form.

Moray Jazz Club meets every Thursday, at 7.30pm, at Elgin City FC Social Club, on Borough Briggs Road. The entrance fee on the Louise Balkwill Trio night is £8 on the door. People are advised to come early to avoid disappointment.

Further details about the event can be made by emailing the Moray Jazz Club secretary at morayjazzclub@gmail.com.

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