RENOWNED jazz musician and one-time local resident Clare Teal is to return for a concert at Malvern Theatres, writes Nione Meakin.

The singer will perform at the Forum Theatre at 8pm on Saturday, June 18.

Clare has been nominated again for jazz artist of the year at the BBC Jazz Awards and has been presenting After Seven with Clare Teal on Radio 2.

Credited with finding jazz star Jamie Cullum, Clare said she was delighted at the rising popularity of the music.

"When I got into jazz, it was possibly the most unfashionable thing you could do," she said, "This is the only time in my life I've ever been cool and that's only by default. But it all comes down to 'if it's good, it works'."

Now based in Bath, Clare spent a year in Malvern in 1995, making the most of its thriving music scene.

"There's a lot of jazz in the Malvern Hills and I met some great people and learned a lot," she said.

For tickets for the Forum gig, call 01684 892277.