Lunchtime Jazz: American Songbook – Sara Hawkes & Ivan Garford

In something of a first for Tuesdays Till Two we’re going to attempt to give our lunchtime café an air of night time jazz sophistication with the help of singer Sara Hawkes and pianist Ivan Garford. Sara will be performing well known jazz standards from the American Songbook, including songs by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and more.

As usual the café will be open from noon, serving a range of hot drinks and homemade quiche, cakes, scones etc. All profits from the café will go to The Green Backyard. For this concert we’d like the audience to stay seated in the café area rather than moving to the pews at the front of the church.

The music will begin promptly at 1pm. Admission is free, but those who are able to afford it are asked to make a donation. The suggested amount is £4.

About Sara Hawkes:

Originally from Blackpool, Sara moved to Peterborough to bring up her two children before returning to performing as a singer, at first mostly performing at open mic and jazz jam sessions. Her growing reputation has led to invitations to perform at numerous venues and events, both locally (e.g. John Clare Cottage, Oundle Festival Fringe, Key Theatre, Stamford Music Festival) and in her home town of Blackpool, where she recently performed as part of the Blackpool Pride Festival. Sara used to perform classical repertoire such as Opera and Art Song, and continues to train with a teacher who is a senior tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music but also now trains with top jazz artists and teachers.

About Ivan Garford:

Ivan studied Music at Goldsmiths College and the Royal Academy of Music. He has enjoyed a varied career as a performer, musical director and teacher.

Ivan was the Musical Director at Wisbech and March Operatic Societies and for in-house productions at Wisbech’s Angles Theatre. He helped to produce over fifty shows between 1995 and 2007.

Ivan has developed a strong interest in jazz and has accompanied and promoted such visiting jazz artists as Don Rendell, Harry Beckett, Peter King, Tina May and Alan Barnes. He is a widely sought after performer by Orchestras and bands throughout the Eastern Region.