Bands and singers coming to the south in the next week.

THE Musicke Companye is a unique ensemble of four leading British musicians, including a counter tenor, a soprano, a cellist and an organist. Tonight, they perform at Ringwood School Theatre as part of the Avon Valley Concerts series. Works by Vivaldi, Strozzi and George Frederick Handel will be performed by the talented group who have amazed audiences throughout Europe and beyond.

Tickets £9. Box office: 01425 470410.

PIANIST extraordinaire and former Squeeze star Jools Holland performs in Ryde tonight with his 18-piece Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. The musician seems to be constantly on tour, and the Isle of Wight gig at Ryde Arena is one of many dates that he is playing in the UK this year.

For ticket information call 01983 615155.

IF you're a jazz fan you must have heard of Jon Hiseman's legendary jazz fusion group, Colosseum.

The reformed act features original members Jon Hiseman, Chris Farlowe, Dave Greenslade, Dave 'Clem' Clempson, Dick Heckstall-Smith and Mark Clarke, and they play at The Brook in Southampton tonight.

The group originally formed in 1968 with Hiseman on drums. Nearly 40 years after the group shook the foundations of the jazz world, they are back with a tour following the success of last year's studio release, Tomorrow's Blues.

Tickets £12.50. Box office: 023 8055 5366.

LOCAL soul band Rufus Stone also take to the stage at The Brook tomorrow evening. Since the band formed, the Southampton outfit have built up a loyal following, who have been won over by the group's feel-good performances. Rufus Stone recently raised nearly £3,000 for the tsunami appeal at charity gig at the Rose Bowl and will soon be recording their third album.

Tickets £6. Box office: 023 8055 5366.

BAND of the moment Bloc Party play at the Portsmouth Pyramid Centre tomorrow night.

Having recently performed in Southampton as part of the sold out NME tour, the foursome have been praised for their funky style of rock.

Unfortunately, this gig is also sold out, but the band has announced a tour later this year for those who missed out, and it includes a gig at the Portsmouth Guildhall on October 10.

Tickets £13.50. Box office: 023 9282 4355.

THE Mayflower hosts a Schools Music Spectacular this Sunday. The Rotary Clubs in the Southampton area are collaborating with local schools to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary International. Almost 500 of the best young musicians in Southampton will perform a variety of music under the direction of Philip Litchfield, who is the director of Southampton Music Services. The evening will be hosted by international conductor and broadcaster Frank Renton.

Tickets from £10. Box office: 023 8071 1811.

BOSCOMBE'S resident professional string quartet Stomenti will perform in Boscombe's Grade 1 listed St Clement's Church this Sunday evening. The concert will include Haydn's sombre quartet version of The Seven Last Word of Christ on the Cross, providing a very different atmosphere to the group's usual laid-back offerings.

Led by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra co-leader Jack Maguire, the performance is guaranteed to be haunting and memorable.

For more information call 01202 399114.

HARD rock band Thunder made their name in the 90s, but have a distinct 70s rock sound. The group split in 2000 but reformed a couple of years later. The group, who have been compared to Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, play at Southampton Guildhall on Monday as part of a tour to promote their latest album, The Magnificent Seventh.

Tickets £18.50. Box office: 023 8063 2601.

Gosport Jazz Club is holding its 7th Annual Nat Gonella tribute concert on Wednesday. The concert takes place at Thorngate Halls in Gosport. Cornet player Rod Mason and his Hot Five present a special tribute to Nat Gonella 70 years after the legendary jazz musician put together his band, the Georgians.

Tickets: £6.50. Box office 023 9252 2834.