Jazz Singer Esther Bennett and her trio

"Knock 'em dead singer" London Evening Standard

'Bennett gives her all on stage.....and never stops entertaining the audience...you can't help but love her' Jeff Prestridge, Close Up Culture

Esther Bennett is one of the jazz scene's most respected and widely loved vocalists, juxtaposing sensitivity with a sparky sense of humour; her song delivery leaving audiences utterly compelled.
Her innate sense of musicality, gleaned from her earlier years of saxophone playing and study of the jazz idiom, inform a voice that has individuality, originality and flair.
Esther's debut album "Just in Time" was produced by multi award winning singer Ian Shaw 
it received a four-star review in "Jazzwise Magazine" and was launched at London's iconic 606 Club in 2005
Since then, she has carved out a prestigious career as a jazz singer performing extensively in major venues in and around London across the country and in Europe, 
A singer of original material, jazz standards and popular music and writer and performer of spoken word and poetry, Esther has worked with some of the countries most acclaimed and respected jazz musicians, including Saxophonist and composer Duncan Lamont who himself had performed with Henry Mancini, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Count Basie. 
In addition to his achievements as a performer he was also one of the UK's most important contemporary jazz songwriters, with songs recorded by some of the finest singers in the World including Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole. 
From 2010 until his passing in 2019, Esther curated "The Duncan Lamont Songbook" project, organising gigs and tours in London and around the country in which she and Duncan performed. 
Following his death in 2019, Esther continues the project to this day with Duncan Jnr who, like his father is not only a consummate saxophonist and flautist, but a great storyteller and raconteur 
In 2020 they released the EP "The Songs of Duncan Lamont which "Jazz Journal Magazine" awarded four stars.
Covid and lockdown provided the opportunity forvEdther to exercise her own songwriting skills and another recording was released in 2021 called "Safe Places".
Her most recent album "Home is Where the Art is" sees Esther exploring a new avenue – that of spoken word and poetry. The album opens with a four-and-a-half-minute piece about her hometown of Birmingham set to the music of film composer, Didier Messidoro. A true labour of love that has received high praise from poetry publications, art magazines and BBC Radio. 
Esther's performance at Colchester Arts Centre on the evening of Sunday November 24th will include a captivating blend of material from all of these albums and promises a textured, well-crafted, and fascinating musical experience.
She will be accompanied by a trio of some of our very finest jazz musicians, that includes a combination of father and son!
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring some of London's most experienced jazz artists! 
With John Crawford on piano, Oli Hayhurst on bass and Theo Hayhurst on drums.

Esther's other career highlights include, performing at Ronnie Scott's, performing at Wavendon's 'Music in the Garden' and being invited by Dame Cleo Laine to join her table to enjoy the other artists and performing with Prince at London's "China Whites".

'Vocalist Esther Bennett's many virtues include an incredibly seductive lower register and a winning sense of humour'
Jazzwise Magazine

'I love the integrity and beauty of Esther's voice' Jazz Wax Marc Myers

Price:
General Admission: GBP 16.50