Singer Joanna Eden is hosting a concert in Saffron Walden celebrating the career of jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald.

Ella & Beyond: Big Band to Bebop will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 1 at Saffron Hall.

Local jazz musician Joanna, who has supported Van Morrison and Sir Tom Jones at Audley End Heritage Live, will guide audiences through Ella Fitzgerald's almost 60-year career.

Joanna will share music from a dynasty of jazz stars from Armstrong to Ellington, Gershwin to Jobin and Dizzy to Bird.

The evening will feature multi-award winning soloists saxophonist Tony Kofi (featured on Radio 4's Life Changing podcast) and trumpeter Enrico Tomasso.

READ MORE

As well as the soloists, the concert will feature the 17-strong Len Phillips Swing Orchestra, led by Joe Pettitt.

All players have a passion for the history of jazz. When trumpeter Enrico was a child, he met Louis Armstrong while he was on tour of the UK. They remained friends until Louis' death in 1971.

Meanwhile, during an accident on a building site which nearly claimed his life, Tony Kofi saw an image of himself playing a saxophone - which inspired him to take up the instrument.

Tickets are available at www.saffronhall.com and via the Tourist Information Centre.