EASTLEIGH’S Concorde lives up to its reputation of being an international jazz Mecca with an autumn line up of jazz stars drawn from across Europe and the other side of the Pond.

The glittering line-up includes a world class musician from New Orleans who was left with little more than his clarinet and a suitcase full of clothes after Hurricane Katrina, writes DUNCAN EATON.

The FB Pocket Orchestra will, on September 9, be taking the Stoneham Lane audience back to the hot jazz, blues, ragtime and popular dances of the 1920/30s.

They feature a unique line-up of strings, brass, reeds, guitar, percussion and vocals drawing repertoire from that era.

The Budapest Ragtime Band was founded in 1980 by former students of the Franz Liszt Music Academy of Budapest. It stops off at Eastleigh on September 16 with its mouth-watering offering of traditional ragtime and classical music, swing melodies, Dixieland music and instrumental solos.

American jazz singer Stacey Kent and her musicians make a welcome return to The Concorde on September 23. Her platinum selling album Breakfast On The Morning Train was nominated for a Grammy award.

Another big jazz star from the other side of the Pond drops anchor at The Concorde on September 30. He is American trumpet star Bobby Shew whose glittering CV includes playing with the Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich Big Bands.

The world acclaimed Pasadena Roof Orchestra (October 7) are always guaranteed to put fun into jazz. From its first rehearsal in 1969 the ensemble – pictured above and below – became an instant success, recreating the nostalgic dance band sounds of the twenties and thirties.

It is able to cherry pick 200 titles from its repertoire of jazz, early swing and dance music including tunes such as Puttin’ on the Ritz, Sweet Georgia Brown, The Lullaby of Broadway as well as hot numbers from the twenties such as Duke Ellington’s Black and Tan Fantasy.

Ten years ago clarinettist Evan Christopher, who is at The Concorde on October 14, was among thousands who were left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

He chose Paris for his exile where he formed his band Django a la Creole in 2007. He was inspired by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt’s collaborations with New Orleans clarinettists in the 1930s.

Evan and his band will be spicing up the Hot Club sound pioneered by Djhango Reinhardt with blues, rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and the Caribbean and collective improvisation to create a glorious evening of New Orleans Jazz.

Described as New Yorks’ swinging fox Lenore Raphael checks into the Concorde on October 21.

Critics, jazz hosts and jazz lovers agree she is one of the most swinging mainstream pianists today. Influenced by Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell and Bill Evans, she has taken these influences and created her own recognizable sound.

l Tickets: The Concorde, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh. 02380 613989 or theconcordeclub.com.