HE is the go to keyboardist" so they say, in the jazz biz, noted for his smooth playing.

He has a smooth name too - Oli Silk - and he is coming back to the Jazz Mix for the last gig of this season, at the Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion, on Wednesday, May 25.

"Oli has become very much 'the go to keyboardist' when the top smooth jazz artists come over from the USA to play the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho and he has recently played with smooth jazz guitarist Peter White at the club" said promoter Mick Crook.

"Apart from playing with the likes of Peter White, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun and Chuck Loeb, Oli is very much a solo artist in his own right and has experienced great success in the USA. He has four solo CDs to his name and has played to packed out shows at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho.

At Jazz Mix, expect Oli to play tunes from his back catalogue and a few from his soon to be released CD Where I Left Off, plus other 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 Oli on stage will be Marc Jaimes on guitar, Orefo Orakwue on bass, Joe Becket on percussion, Westley Joseph on drums and plus special guest vocalist.

The club takes a summer break in June and July but will be back with a new programme commencing at the end of August that will feature jazz fusion band Wakaria, saxophonist Derek Nash with his Funk Experience, ex-AWB guitarist/vocalist Hamish Stuart, neo-soul singer Omar with the QCBA quartet, local guitarist Dave Mascall's Acid Lounge and direct from the Netherlands groove based Acid-Jazz band Tristan.

Doors open at 8pm, with music starting from 8.45pm to 11pm.

Tickets are available from the Cliffs Pavilion Box Office or southendtheatres.org.uk for £15