Clare Teal

ALISON CROOSE

King's Lynn Corn Exchange

Having this year's winner of the BBC best vocalist jazz award in town was, alas, not enough to stir audiences from their armchairs on a Sunday night. What a pity - they missed such a treat.

The presenter of BBC Radio Two's Big Band Special, appearing at Lynn for the first time, justified her reputation as Britain's most successful young female jazz singer.

The small but very enthusiastic audience were wowed by the upbeat tempo of her singing accompanied by the stunning four-piece band.

It was a foot-tapping evening packed with songs old and new, all of them characterised by Clare Teal's delectable phrasing, achieved only by a truly talented singer who never deviated from a solid, in-tune delivery.

Numbers such as Love Hurts, I Only Have Eyes for You, I Get a Kick Out of You and Moon Dance, plus some exciting scat singing, demonstrated her innate skill.

She underlined her feel for the genre by spanning the repertoire from Cole Porter to Bob Dylan in a performance boosted by the skilful band, especially musical director Simon Wallis (piano), who was responsible for exhilarating arrangements, and Pete Long (reeds).