JAZZ singer Julia Quinn is looking forward to coming back to Southend – where she once lived for ten years – to play at the Cliffs Pavilion at the first Jazz Mix club of the new season.

It will take place on Wednesday August 29, at 8pm.

Her set promises to feature classic music from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Nat King Cole, Diana Krall, Eva Cassidy, Incognito and Lala Hathaway. Joining Julia on stage on the night will be Tony Sandeman on guitar (Ben E King/Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Dan Banks on keyboards (The Shez Raja Collection/The Fellowship), Andy Staples on bass (The Real Thing/Jason Rebello) and Marc Cecil on drums (The Foundations/The Drifters/ Robin Jones).

Doors open at 8pm at the Jazz Mix Club, held in the Cliffs Pavilion’s Maritime Room.

The theatre is in Station Road.

Tickets are £12 with no booking fee, available from southendtheatres.org.uk

The Echo finds out about her life in music.

What’s your earliest musical memory?

Hearing music around the house with my mum and dad… mostly Sarah Vaughan, Stevie Wonder and Carole King.

Where did you perform live for the first time, what was the occasion?

Probably in my nan’s living room! It was the party trick my mum always made me do. I probably sang Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree!

First band you joined?

The Steve Howard Big Band, at 17

First album you bought?

Chic – C’est Chic!

Last album you bought?

I just bought two actually. Amy Wadge – she’s a songwriter friend of Ed Sheeran’s and co-wrote Thinking Out Loud with him. She wrote some fantastic music for the Welsh series Keeping Faith. I saw and heard it on the I-player recently… fabulous drama and music! Also, the new Mamas Gun CD - Golden Days

Favourite album of all time?

Just one?! If I had to choose… Sarah Vaughan’s Studio album with Michel Le Grand (1972) singing The Theme to The Summer of 42 and other amazingly beautiful songs. It made me want to be a singer.

Who’s your biggest inspiration?

I’ve been inspired by a lot of people. Musically, from Joni Mitchell to my friend and mentor Ian Shaw, personally, my mum and my sister are very strong women, though they don’t always realise it.

How do you discover new music?

Keep my eyes and ears open! I love BBC6 music for its variety. TV sometimes introduces new artists to me, either on Jools Holland or other music documentaries for music that may just have passed me by. Occasionally friends recommend stuff to me.

Favourite lyric?

I love loads of lyrics for different reasons but like a bit of humour too, so Kirsty McColl. It’s a close-run thing between ‘there's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis’ and ‘In These Shoes’. I’ll go with the latter.

You need to hear it sung to truly appreciate it!

"Won't you walk up and down my spine,

It makes me feel strangely alive. "

I said "In these shoes?

I doubt you'd survive. "

Best gig you’ve been to and why?

Wow! So many great gigs. It’s easier to pick great moments in gigs than just one! I’ve been to some amazing gigs in my life. Etta James was still pretty raunchy as an older performer (I love Seven Year Itch), I’ve also seen Bonnie Raitt many times, but the gig at the Albert Hall with Paul Brady (another amazing songwriter) was pretty special as I love them both…very evocative moody music and lyrics - stunning song writing from them both. No tricks, hype, effects or laser shows, just pure musicianship right there on the stage. Stunning!

Best gig you've played and why?

Any gig where people have responded to me! Seriously. I’m happy if I get eye contact and people dancing or just smiling. I enjoy playing with my own band (obviously) as they’re all such great musicians in their own right, but the gig with Dave Mascall in January 2016 at the Maritime Rooms was pretty awesome because it was all our own music and that’s pretty scary putting it out there hoping people like it. Luckily, they did!