Claire Martin

Claire honed her craft on the QE2 and Cunard Princess before being signed by Scottish label Linn in 1991. She released her first album, The Waiting Game, the following year.

Her career has seen her win multiple gongs at the British Jazz Awards, record a live album at Ronnie Scotts, and collaborate with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Jamie Cullum, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and the late John Martyn.

She also presents BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.

Friday's show starts at 8pm at the Komedia Studio Bar, Gardner Street, Brighton, tickets are £15 from 01273 709709.

Is there an artist that made you want to become a singer?

I couldn’t escape Ella Fitzgerald in my house growing up due to my mum’s huge obsession with her. When I started making my own material I listened to Betty Carter and Shirley Horn [Claire dedicated her 2007 album He Never Mentioned Love to Shirley].

I was lucky enough to see Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at Ronnie Scott’s in the early 1980s, a few years before the legendary jazz drummer died. I was 16 or 17 at the time. It was mesmerising, inspiring, humbling and uplifting.

It absolutely moved me to the core and made me realise this is the music I want to dedicate my life to.

Do you remember the first single you bought?

It’s so embarrassing. It was Howzat! by Sherbet [the song, which was Australian band Sherbet’s only hit, got to number four in the charts in 1976]. I got it from Woolworths in Tooting Broadway. I remember clutching my money as I went one stop on the Tube from Colliers Wood where I lived, to buy it. I was about ten years old.

Do you have any guilty pleasures in your record collection?

I’m a huge Kate Bush fan, but she has a very different vocal range from me. She’s about two octaves higher. I can often be heard trying to sing along while dancing around to Kate.

I also like a bit of Tammy Wynette on melancholy days. Her songs are all so heart-breaking.

Are there any songs or individual pieces of music you always come back to?

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans did a duets album which I return to as a marker for how to balance singing and piano accompaniment. It was released in the 1970s and shows both artists at the top of their game. It’s recently been re-released.

Shirley Horn is my absolute heroine – every now and again I put Shirley on and it sets the bar.

Do you have a favourite film?

I love the remake of A Star Is Born from the 1970s, which starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The soundtrack was hugely influential.

I played it so much I wore the record out. I love Barbra anyway, and I had a crush on Kris Kristofferson from that day on.

I also love Brief Encounter, the David Lean film about meeting a stranger at a railway station. I get it out at least once a year and have a good old weep. It’s just so beautiful.

What is your favourite book?

I am a big Bill Bryson fan. I queued up at Waterstones in Charing Cross for him to sign one of my books. He was lovely – he smelled of talculm powder.

I particularly liked his recent book The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid.

I also loved Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City series. They are the sort of books I can take on the road with me.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading B Is For Beer by Tom Robbins, which I just got back from my husband Phil [Jackson, BBC Surrey and Sussex DJ and previous Favourite Things subject]. I’m a friend of Tom’s.

We have a kind of mutual appreciation society. He sent me a copy, which was very nice.

Is there a television programme you couldn’t miss?

I have been glued to The Ashes, I was beside myself watching it. And The Secret Millionaire is always very moving, I have a nice cry. What I can’t understand is that they are millionaires, but they only give away £7,500 here and £10,000 there.

I want them to give away something a bit more, like £50,000. It is a great programme though, and it humbles you.

Where did the name A Modern Art come from for your new album?

It’s me saying “Don’t worry if you think jazz is highbrow or too old-fashioned, it is a modern art form and we have to celebrate it”.

It is a funky mixture of new songs and songs by friends.

How important issomething like the Brighton Jazz Club for you?

They put on great stuff and are run by volunteers, all for the love of the music. Without them there wouldn’t be much jazz in Brighton. I’m glad to be able to support them.