Best known for silky ballad There's Nothing Like This, soul singer Omar appears at the Old Bakery Studios in Truro on Saturday evening (May 23).

Over four decades, Omar has collaborated with legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Lamont Dozier, Erykah Badu and the late Angie Stone.

His ninth solo album, Brighter The Days, was released last year and features contributions from rapper Giggs, India Arie, and a rhythm ‘n’ blues tinged duet with Paul Weller. Highlights include the funky Al Green-inspired title track, This Thing Called Life - an epic work worthy of a film soundtrack, and dancefloor club anthem Research.

“Each album is an evolution, but I'd like to think this is my magnum opus,” said Omar, who was born in 1968 and raised in Canterbury by a deeply musical family. His early years were steeped in classical training, playing trumpet, piano, bass and percussion and studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Chetham’s – which perhaps explains the significance of orchestral elements in his music.

“The strings influence is from me playing in an orchestra - there’s nothing quite like that feeling of hearing all those strings play together, and that’s why I always like to implement them in the music,” he says.

Omar has also expanded into acting, playing Avery Baker in EastEnders and starring in the one-man stage play Lovesong. In 2012, he was awarded an MBE, and the future King Charles III requested a copy of his next album.

Reflecting on his 40 year-long professional career, Omar says: “I have my own sound, and I’m very proud of that. But I’m still growing, still learning. My whole life goes into the music, and it’s just a continued blessing.”

Tickets cost £25 plus booking fee via EventBrite.