DREARY January days will be banished when St Albans Chamber Choir puts on a foot-stomping concert of jazz-inspired music next Saturday, January 15.

The programme at 7.30pm in St Saviour’s Church in St Albans, features Mass in Blue by young British composer Will Todd, an upbeat setting of the Latin mass and a blend of driving jazz grooves and strong choral writing within which the piano and solo soprano voice weaves and blend.

The work reflects not only the composer’s love of jazz music and his admiration of jazz performers but also his own experience as an improviser. Since its premiere in 2003, it has been performed to great acclaim all over the world.

For the performance, the choir will be joined by Will Todd himself and his Trio, together with young soprano Bethany Halliday who has been commended for her vocal versatility after many performances of the piece.

The programme also features John Rutter’s jazz-influenced Birthday Madrigals which were composed as a musical tribute for the 75th birthday of jazz legend George Shearing and Karl Jenkins’s Parliament of Owls, scored for piano duet, saxophone and percussion.

Tickets at �12.50, �1 for children and full-time students can be obtained by claling 01582 831228 or online at www.wegottickets.com/stalbanschamberchoir