Preview: Gill Manly at POSK

Gill Manly at Jazz Cafe POSK, Saturday 20 November, 8.30pm. Preview by Fran Hardcastle

A gig that astonishingly doesn’t appear under the London Jazz Festival’s vast umbrella is Gill Manly at Jazz Cafe POSK in Hammersmith on Saturday night. One of the country’s most loved jazz singers, Ms Manly is considered a definitive interpreter of standards. She delivers each song with an emotional punch. Her version of Nina Simone’s Wild is the Wind is one of the most heart-wrenching I’ve heard.

Sadly, Ms Manly has been beset by health problems over the years but happily she returned to prominence a couple of years ago with the release of the album, With a Song in My Heart on Linn Records. Unfortunately, her health issues have returned and LondonJazz has been informed today that this will be her last gig before she undergoes cardiac surgery. I would encourage any fan of jazz vocals to hot foot it down to POSK on Saturday night. I for one will be there. LondonJazz wishes Ms Manly a successful operation and a very speedy recovery.

Listen to Gill here: http://www.myspace.com/gillmanlyjazz