A CELEBRATION of the rich century of song that Ella Fitzgerald has given is coming to Dorchester on Thursday,

A Sophisticated Lady: The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald will see Tina May performing the First Lady of Song's classic tunes at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester.

This year marks what would have the 100th birthday of Ella Fitzgerald.

Internationally recognised British singer Tina May, will be presenting her renditions of hand picked songs from Ella's varied repertoire. Classics such as How High The Moon, You've Changed, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye and Can't Buy Me Love will feature, as well as Duke and Strayhorn gems like Caravan, Daydream and Take The A Train.

Tina will be accompanied by USA saxophonist and clarinettist, Frank Griffith. Frank and his quartet (Robin Aspland, piano, Jeremy Brown, bass and Rod Youngs, drums) first came to our attention in last year's Kind of Blue – Revisited at the Corn Exchange. This concert will also feature the premiere of Frank's composition “Ella Be Good” with lyrics by Tina May.

*A Sophisticated Lady: The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald, Dorchester Corn Exchange, Thursday, September 7, 8pm. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm. See dorchesterarts.org.uk.