THE last gig of the Jazz Mix season will be a smooth one, thanks to the appearance of the ever-popular jazz keyboardist Oli Silk.

It takes place next Wednesday, May 30, in the Maritime Room of the Cliffs Pavilion.

Silk can often be found on keyboard duty for many international smooth jazz artists. He has just finished playing at the Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival and he's currently on the Dave Koz Scandinavia and Baltic smooth jazz cruise.

Jazz Mix promoter and curator, Mick Crook, explains: "Oli is very much a solo artist in his own right and has experienced great success in the USA. He has five solo CDs to his name and has played to packed out shows at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London.

"On the night Oli steps front and centre into the spotlight, and this time he’s playing tunes from his back catalogue and ones from his new CD Where I Left Off, plus other funky workouts of tunes you might well be familiar with."

Backed by an all-star six-piece band, Oli’s unique blend of high energy jazz funk instrumentals and soulful vocals have garnered him a huge reputation on the worldwide stage.

Joining him on stage will be Marc Jaimes on guitar, Orefo Orakwue on bass, Joe Becket on percussion, Westley Joseph on drums and vocalist Debby Bracknell.

Mick added: "The club takes a summer break in June and July, but we will be back with a new programme commencing on Wednesday August 29 with local vocalist Julia Quinn and her band."

Doors open at the venue, situated in Station Road, Southend, at 8pm, with music starting from 8.30pm to 11pm.

Tickets are available from southendtheatres.org.uk for £17.