Named after the classic Sixties' song covered many times over by Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and Robbie Williams among others, Bojangles celebrates the best of contemporary and legendary singers and songwriters.

Set to become a regular event, tomorrow's star-studded bill includes Joan Armatrading, Carleen Anderson and Brighton resident Alison David.

A woman who needs no introduction, Joan's career spans more than 30 years.

Born in St Kitts in 1958 but brought up in Birmingham, she is revered for her unique, eclectic sound which combines folk, reggae, rock and soul - and for her warm vocals and passionate guitar playing which pioneered a powerful new sound in the Seventies.

Hits such as Love And Affection, Water With The Wine, Save Me and Down To Zero must be etched into the memory of every music lover.

Working with a varied cast comes naturally to an artist who has toured the world many times over and whose backing musicians have included members of Little Feat, Fairport Convention, XTC and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

Nominated as one of the 100 most influential women in rock in the VH1 poll 1999, platinum-selling Joan was recently elected president of Women Of The Year.

Another singer who has been around the block a few times over is American Soulstress Carleen Anderson.

Not only the luscious larynx behind The Young Disciples' Nineties anthem Apparently Nothin' and many Brand New Heavies tracks, Carleen has a distinguished solo career. She is a keen promoter of Brighton's young, undiscovered talent with a teaching post at Brighton's very own fame academy, the Brighton Institute Of Modern Music.

"Primarily, my job is to steer the musician into discovering their own voice," she explains.

"It's a very difficult concept to teach. It can take 20 years to find what you're capable of. That's what it has taken me."

This is a woman with music in her blood. Her godfather is James Brown, her mother is Vicki Anderson (the JB's singer), Bobby Byrd is her stepfather and her cousin is Jhelisa.

Carleen will be performing tracks from her new album Soul Providence, which sees a return to her soul and gospel roots.

"For the first time I've made a recording saturated with upbeat vibes," says Carleen, so you can expect an uplifting, mesmerising set.

Opening act is Brighton's own soul singer Alison David, who has collaborated with Red Snapper, Adam Freeland and Ashley Beedle among others.

There is a sense that the time is now for Alison, who is also set to appear in Hollywood film Trauma, starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari.

She plays a rock diva by the name of Lauren Paris and sings the soundtrack.

A velvet-smooth vocalist (and ex-model), her jazz-flavoured songs are all about seizing the moment, not letting chances pass you by and squeezing all the zest you can from life.