SHE sold out last time she threw an event on the pier, and Liz Lincoln is hoping for a repeat performance as she launches a new jazz club on Sunday.

The bill features singer and trumpet player Georgina Jackson, who’ll present her new show Peggy, Duke and Benny, alongside musical director Pete Long, pianist Nick Dawson, Anthony Kerr on vibraphone, drummer Ed Richardson and bass player Callum Gourlay.

The new show at Southend Pier Cultural Centre will see tributes paid to big name jazz legends, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

Liz says it’s the perfect event for the launch, which will also feature Westcliff cornet player and British Jazz Award winner Digby Fairweather.

“Pete Long has always got lots of shows going – he’s quite a mastermind in jazz,” says Liz.

“Someone who knows him really well said, ‘They’ve got a marvellous new show coming up, why not see if they can do your opening’?

“I wanted it to be a bit theatrical, so I rang Pete and he said, ‘Yes, fine – as long as we can get all our kit down the pier’ ! ”

Fortunately, Liz had experience of musicians lugging their gear down on the train from throwing previous nights there, so she assured Pete it would be fine, and the line-up was all set.

She laughs: “It’s drums and everything and their own piano are really heavy. It’s quite a thing to take all the stuff, but the staff there are good – we did it with the London Jazz Sinfonia.”

Liz hopes the club will be a success and run as a monthly Sunday lunchtime event. Southend Council is keen for her to carry on with the programme.

She says. “I’ve only agreed with the council that I’ll do three.

“If they lose money, I obviously won’t do it any longer, but it’s a super place to do a jazz club on a Sunday lunchtime. I hope it takes off – we’re trying to make it as enticing as possible.”

Liz is looking forward to the talents of the musicians, particularly Georgina Jackson.

Her combined skill as a trumpet player, big band leader and singer have seen her perform at top jazz venues and built her quite a reputation.

Liz says: “Georgina is such a sensation. “She’s a first-rate trumpet player and on top of that she’s an excellent singer. That is a rare thing.”

“I’ve worked with Pete on some of his other collaborations and he always came up with something good. He’s also very funny and a very good entertainer as well as a musician.

Sunday lunch jazz sessions will launch with Peggy, Duke and Benny on Sunday at 12.30pm. A pier train will leave at noon to take visitors down to the Pier Cultural Centre. Tickets are £15, including pier train ticket. Call 01702 618747 or visit visitsouthend.co.uk