Monica Vasconcelos does not like to hear people say Brazilian music is cool again. For her, it has always been cool.

"The media creates trends and saturates the market but, when you think about it, we've always made beautiful music," she says.

The Brazilian singer who has been based in London since 1992 is at the top of her field, regularly receiving comparisons to the late Astrid Gilberto, one of her homeland's most famous exports.

But for Monica, there are far greater accolades. "Astrid Gilberto is not a hard act to follow," she says. "It was really a chance thing with her she was Joao Albertos' wife.

"Her voice was pure and sweet but I've been singing since I was a teenager and learning my craft for a long time, so for me there are harder acts to follow.

"People like Elis Regina. She is the best singer we've ever had. She was groovy.

She died over 20 years ago but there is never anybody who will come close to her. Man, she was amazing. If I was compared to her I'd say that was a hard act to follow."

Monica started singing as a teenager in the clubs of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She recorded jingles for radio and was a function singer before moving to the UK.

She is now touring with her eight-piece band Nois in which trombonist and Brighton resident Paul Nieman belongs to promote her new album Oferenda (which means gift).

Her band members come from all over the world, including Germany, Italy and Mozambique, and she sees this cultural diversity as a strength.

"London is one of those fantastic places where all the world can meet," she says. "I wouldn't have met my band if I hadn't been in London. It's a beautiful thing."

Over the years, Monica and Nois have strived to create a unique sound, blending traditional Brazilian music, such as the samba, bossa nova and choro, with more contemporary styles. Their repertoire includes new arrangements of Brazilian classics and original compositions.

"There is a real crossover," Monica explains. "The music is full of joy and energy, with great harmonies and melodies. We have a fantastic combination of ingredients.

"There are good grooves which get into you. It's a physical thing, Brazilian music. You don't need to understand the music for it to touch you. In Brazil we have good football and fantastic music.

"Nowadays, we go to gigs and see loads of machines and very few people. It's very rare to get nine real musicians up there taking the music right into the audience and that's what we aim to do.

"The audience will want to dance and join us. And the atmosphere is always so nice in Brighton. In London people are a little bit blas. Whenever you get out of London people are a bit more appreciative.

"I have this belief that once the music gets into you, it's impossible to shake off."

Starts 8pm, tickets cost £10/12. Call 01273 647100.