SINGER Jacqui Dankworth is among the headline acts for this year’s Southport International Jazz Festival.

The recording star, daughter of the composer Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, she will be performing at Southport Arts Centre on Sunday, May 31.

The actress-turned-singer worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre in a number of critically acclaimed roles before moving into West End musicals.

She was asked to perform new arrangements of Gershwin classics for a BBC Big Band tour in 1999 and has a new album out this year.

Also featuring in the four-day event will be the Salsa Dance Party with Manteca, and award-winning pianist Tom Cawley and his band, Curious.

An extra date has been added for Strictly Come Dancing fans to see Argentine Tango world champions Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace after the original dinner and dancing event sold out.

“The festival always creates a fantastic buzz around the town,” says Nia Valerio, of Sefton’s tourism events team.

“It’s an amazing event to encourage people to get out and enjoy themselves, listening to music from performers from all over the world – and, best of all, most of it is free.

“It’s always been important to us that most of the music is free and never more so than at the moment.”

Other headline performances include pianist Jon Clearly, at Southport Arts Centre, on Friday, May 29; and the Swingshift Big Band, with Dave O’Higgins and the Lea Delaria Trio, at the Royal Clifton Hotel, on Sunday, May 31.

Nia continues: “The event has up-and-coming musicians, seasoned performers and excellent headline acts, such as the fabulous Jacqui Dankworth.

“It really will be an event to remember and a great way to kick off the summer.”