Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae kicked off the second day of this year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival with an incomparable set, backed by the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra, in the Big Top. She has such warmth and expressive character in her voice and she mixed classic covers of artists who have inspired her - Carol King/Aretha Franklin (Natural Woman), Marvin Gaye (What's Going On), Billie Holiday (I Cover the Waterfront), Nina Simone (I Put a Spell on You) - with some of her own songs ending, of course, with Girl Put Your Records On. After yesterday's brilliant start to this weekend, it's just getting better and better. The photos were taken in the Rough Trade record and merchandise tent, where Corinne was signing albums. I took the opportunity to thank her for a great show.