MIDSUMMER Jazz is the next concert in a professional music series at a local school next Friday, June 21.

The concert at Beechwood Park School in Markyate features renowned jazz pianist Malcolm Edmonstone with Jules Jackson on bass and James Nall on drums.

Hailed by the Daily Telegraph as a ‘truly and astonishing musician’ Malcolm Edmonstone was given his first break while still a student when he was asked to tour with the late singing legend Marion Montgomery.

At just 21 he became Jacqui Dankworth’s musical director and went on to tour the world with her. Since then he has also been involved in numerous recording projects, including albums Detour Ahead and Back to You. In 2009 Malcolm worked alongside Sir John Dankworth on an album with Jacqui.

He also played piano on the first three series of Strictly Come Dancing and enjoys combining his busy performing career with teaching as a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He will be joined by young talents, Jules Jackson and James Nall, performing some well-known jazz standards from Vince Mendoza to Herbie Hancock.

The concert gets underway at 7pm and tickets at £12 and £5 for under 18s and full-time students are available from l.peck@beechwoodpark.herts.sch.uk or phone 01582 840333 ext. 4.