JACQUI Dankworth and her American husband Charlie Wood will headline at the Western Hotel on successive nights as St Ives Jazz Club bring four nights of world-class jazz to this year’s St Ives September Festival.

Appearing on Wednesday, September 24, Jacqui and her trio will celebrate the release of her new album Windmills with a concert of classic songs specially arranged by US pianist Wood.

Known primarily as a jazz singer, Jacqui’s unique musical palette also draws on folk, soul, classical, blues, and other influences. New album Windmills is a vocal tour-de-force of classic songs and features some of the best of UK jazz and classical musicians.

Twenty four hours earlier the Jazz Club will present singer, songwriter and keyboardist Charlie, whose work incorporates elements of jazz, blues, traditional R&B and popular music.

Born and raised in Memphis, Charlie headed down the Mississippi to New Orleans at 17, spending a few formative years soaking up the music and culture of the Big Easy and playing keys with local favourites.

He returned to Memphis in his early twenties to join  legendary blues guitarist Albert King, with whom he toured the US and Europe before taking up a long-standing residency with his Hammond organ trio.

The first week of the festival will see the Nigel Price Organ Trio at the Jazz Club on Tuesday, September 16, with the Louise Parker Quartet appearing the next day.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price is widely acknowledged as one of the hardest working musicians in the business.

Nigel’s career highlights include a support show for Gladys Knight at The Royal Albert Hall and an appearance on Van Morrison’s recent album Keep Me Singing.

Louise, citing Nina Simone and Billie Holiday as major influences, is a lovely, relaxed, swinging mainstream jazz singer.

Tickets online at www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk