Jazz with a twist with singer Anne Tracey

Once again the location is the Holywell Diverse City Community Partnership building in Bishop Street (beside the Sandwich Co).

‘Jazz with a Twist’ is a warm-hearted evening’s entertainment buzzing with an eclectic mix of music, song, and poetry with the stalwart backing band led as always by Frank Cassidy on keys.

This year Anne introduces more new faces to the jazz scene and brings back many of last year’s talents. “Providing new artists with an opportunity is part of what makes the show joyful for me,” says Anne. Watch out for sixteen year old Callum Feeney on piano – a star in the making! Chelsea Cooke, a gifted singer with a voice like Adele’s, joins this year’s line-up. Another singer new to the festival is Rosie McCann bringing us her very own Etta James.

Other talented newcomers include Ian Cooke (Chelsea’s father) and Paul Lambert who will duet with Anne on a surprising mix of jazz and rock. Paul presents his own collection of beautiful jazz standards on Sunday 1st May in Spaghetti Junction – again not to be missed!

Anne is thrilled that Strabane man, Ryan Quinn, a fine young pianist and singer, will once again feature throughout the evening. If you haven’t had a chance yet to hear the amazingly talented Daniel Millar and Leanne Doherty [of the Tau Tree Serpents] you are missing out. These are undoubtedly two of the City’s most exciting artists. Ruth McPhillips, singer and musician joins the cast for the first time this year. Anne says, “Ruth is inspirational, full of great ideas and we are delighted to have her on board.”

The all-round talented singer-songwriter Brendan Brady and flautist Amanda Koser-Gillespie are welcomed back as are that multi-talented pair, Tracey Mc Rory and Richard Laird. This year’s backing singers are Fiona Bradley, Linda Morgan, Chelsea Cooke and Rosie McCann. Also returning is Moneymore poet, Maura Johnston, reading a short selection from recent new work. Anne is delighted that jazz cabaret duo Ursula McHugh and Deirdre Doherty are also back. “The show would not be the same without Ursula and Deirdre,” says Anne.

Eamonn Baker will be doing a little more than “talking in tune” this year and the show could not be complete without singer-songwriter, Roy Arbuckle, fresh from the recent success of “The Fountain : A Musical” in the Memorial Hall.

The show will start each evening at 7.30pm sharp. Audiences are invited to bring their own drink/refreshment of choice. Tickets are £10 and are available through Erin, David and Donna at reception Holywell building ring [028 71 261941.