IT was 55 years ago that The Concorde music club was launched from the back room of a pub in Southampton.

The award winning international jazz mecca, which is now in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, is celebrating its special anniversary year with a mouth watering feast of entertainment.

Its latest programme will appeal to all musical tastes with the lineup including international jazz stars, showbiz icons and legendary 60s and 70s bands.

Jazz bassist and film composer Kyle Eastwood – son of Hollywood superstar Clint Eastwood – returns to The Concorde on May 8 with his smooth jazz super group.

The latest glittering line up also includes American jazz singer, guitarist and song writer Curtis Stigers (March 28) Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band (April 4) Grammy nominated American jazz songstress Stacy Kent (April 25) American tenor sax star Houston Person (May 9) Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen (May 30) and popular jazz singer and radio presenter Clare Teal (June 13).

Veteran entertainer and jazz singer Kenny Lynch (March 29) will star in a Thursday night line up which includes former lead singer with The Drifters, Roy G Hemmings (April 5) and Merseyside legends Gerry & The Pacemakers (May 10) and The Searchers (May 24) Friday nights include the original snake hipped seventies rocker Alvin Stardust (March 30) soul singer Alexander O’Neal (March 23) showbiz legend Des O’Connor (April 27), an evening with former Saints stars Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali (May 11) Eurovision song contest winners Brotherhood of Man (May 25) Scottish pop legends Marmalade (June 8) and seventies band the Rubettes (June 29).

The Concorde will also be celebrating Easter with a special programme with former Drifters’ lead singer Roy G Hemmings (April 5) super soul band Rufus Stone (April 6) and Ricky Arthur as Michael Bublé (April 7).

PhoneyFEST will be taking to the stage between June 15 and 17 with a weekend festival of tribute bands.

Away from the stage there will be plenty of special events to mark the 55th anniversary, including a chance to wander down memory lane with a Concorde reunion evening on April 28.

The grand summer ball with some mega attractions is on June 23 and the Jazz and Beer Festival from July 6 to 8. Enjoy a food and craft fayre on July 1 and on September 9 the club will be in top gear for the Concorde Classic Car Show.