MIKE Denham returns to Ilminster Arts Centre for his 14th Speakeasy session – a repeat of a popular sell-out performance from four years ago.

Mike will be joined by Julian Phillips, and together they will be presenting a foot-tapping, finger-snapping programme of boogie, blues and vintage popular songs interspersed with Mike’s inimitable anecdotes and historical detail about the tunes and the people who performed them.

As if that wasn’t enough, some of the material will be played with four hands! If you have not seen or heard this virtuoso feat done before you will be in for an additional treat.

As well as being a brilliant pianist, playing across a wide variety of styles, Mike is a great storyteller with a sense of humour which adds hugely to his performance.

His knowledge of early jazz is second to none and he loves to share his love of the subject with his audience.

He is always a pleasure to listen to and is a hugely popular performer at Ilminster Arts Centre – his shows there generally sell out. Julian is one of the UK’s best known blues and boogie woogie exponents.

He performs with ‘The Stuff’ band on piano and vocals, and has an active solo career and duo act with bass box player Chris Davidson, appearing at many festivals around Europe and the USA.

Julian has gained a great reputation for his wide and varied repertoire in the boogie and blues genre, and is one of the founder organisers of the UK boogie woogie festival at Sturminster Newton in Dorset.

Mike and Julian will be performing at Ilminster Arts Centre on Friday, January 9, at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12 and there is a preshow supper for £12 at 7pm which must be booked in advance. For more information visit the meetinghouse.org