Dagenham-born Zara McFarlane has become the darling of the jazz world in a short few years with her incredible voice and thought-provoking songs.

On Sunday night she wowed a Brighton Festival audience with a sublime performance.

McFarlane is a curious mix of diffidence and confidence, seeming to be unwilling to look at the audience and then beguiling them with tales of bumping into an ex with his new girlfriend in the supermarket.

But she is clearly at home and supremely confident when she turns on her beautiful voice, which scales the deep tones of a Nina Simone classic to echoing the high notes of the piano as she improvises with her band.

McFarlane’s musicians were equally talented. Max Luthert on double bass, Moses Boyd on drums, and saxophonist Binker Golding were all given space to showcase their own musical ability. Pianist Peter Edwards performed a beautiful duet with McFarlane called Love, which transfixed the audience as her flawless voice gently coaxed and flowed.

McFarlane is a force to look out for as she grows in confidence. Just one niggle: she needs to kick off the silly high heels and let herself move as she clearly can.