A TALENTED jazz singer will head the line-up at the Woodford Christmas cabaret show on Monday night.
Virginia Constantine, 28, from Woodford Green will perform a selection of classic jazz songs including You Don't Know What Love Is and I'm Beginning To See The Light for the Woodford Christian Life Church charity event in Sir James Hawkey Hall.
The French-born singer/songwriter has been surrounded by music her whole life.
Her father, Jean Constantin, was a famous music composer and author who penned songs for the likes of Edith Piaf, and in the 1950s he sang on the same stage as jazz legend Louis Armstrong.
Miss Constantine, who added an 'e' to her name when she moved to the UK eight years ago, said: "My father was a jazz fanatic. That is how I fell in love with jazz music.
"Jazz is music from the heart. It is the most emotional music. It stirs something. People need that."
The professional musician turned down an album offer four years ago from record producer and Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman, who sent Steps and Kylie Minogue to stardom.
She said: "He liked my voice. He wanted me to record an album of 'cover' songs - things like Que Sera and Doris Day songs.
"I said no because I believe in my own music. I have no regrets because I know what I want - but my bank manager may have regrets!"
She works on her own brand of pop country jazz with keyboard player Marcus Walsh. The duo will perform at the show in Woodford Green with saxophone player Gary Barnacle, who has played for the Brand New Heavies and Phil Collins, and bass player John McKenzie, whose has worked with Gabrielle, Seal and the Rolling Stones.
The event will feature comedian and magic trickster Mark Stafford, and jazz musician Mike Robert with his band, Still Time.
It has been organised by Woodford Christian Life Church and Woodford Baptist Church, both in South Woodford, to raise money for an addiction rehabilitation charity in Ilford called Teen Challenge, and for the homeless drop-in centre at the YMCA branches in Walthamstow.
Alister Metcalfe, from Woodford Christian Life Church, who is producing the show said: "It is going to be a fantastic night and we will raise hundreds for both charities.
"The show is about letting people know that being part of a church is more than services on Sunday morning. Events like this help people to challenge their stereotypes of what the church is."
It starts at 8pm at Sir James Hawkey Hall in Broomhill Road, Woodford Green. Tickets are £10. They are available from the Woodford Christian Life Church office at Suite 4, 111a George Lane, South Woodford. To book ring 8530 1155 or email tickets@wclc.org.uk
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