ACCOMPANIED by three superb musicians on piano, bass and drums, Jacqui Dankworth delivered smoothly sensual modern jazz to an appreciative theatre audience.

Opening with the title song from her new album Love To Live, Dankworth’s voice is powerful yet subtle, breathy and textured, gravelly and soaring.

This enjoyable concert was a brilliant mix of jazz classics – Gershwin’s Lady Be Good, Cole Porter’s In The Still Of The Night, and Baubles, Bangles And Beads from Kismet – interspersed with interesting original numbers: the gorgeous bossa nova A Certain Kind Of Eden and the funky We Do Need Love.

Absolutely outstanding was the symphonic treatment of the swirling Windmills Of Your Mind, with its intelligently surreal lyrics coloured by imaginative flamenco rhythms.

Dedicated to her dad, the late, great Johnny Dankworth, his daughter Jacqui featured her own lyrics on the BBC TV programme Tomorrow’s World’s theme tune.

Jacqui’ vocals are crisp and clear, her charismatic patter informative, professional and endearing. Charlie Wood on piano, Jeff Gascoine on bass, and Sebastian Du C on drums are stylishly supportive.

The finale featured the soulful ballads My Foolish Heart and Just For A Thrill, building to the relentlessly catchy Some Day We’ll All Be Free.

And the well-deserved encore was the chirpy Almost Like Being In Love.