Curtis Stigers, Jolene O'Hara and all that jazz!

Available for 29 days

This week Anna is joined by acclaimed singer Curtis Stigers. He made his mark back in 1991 with a debut album that sold more than a million copies, with songs like 'I Wonder Why'. Now, more than three decades on, the singer, songwriter and saxophonist is headlining the 25th anniversary of the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival. For all Curtis Stigers fans, he is in great form, chatting about pop stardom, his days in a punk band and finding his father when he was 46. Speaking of jazz did you know the Godmother of British blues, Ottilie Patterson, began life in a terrace in Northern Ireland? When the blues music drifted across from the American GIs up the road, Ottilie became obsessed. From teaching herself songs from sheet music and gigging in Belfast, she went on to play the Royal Festival Hall and tour the UK and USA with the Chris Barber Band, accompanying greats like Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson. Belfast singer Jolene O'Hara has just finished playing her in an acclaimed stage show. And she's about to head on tour with one of the greatest musicians around, Sir Van Morrison. And ahead of BBC Radio Ulster/BBC NI coverage of the Belfast City Marathon next Sunday, Anna chats to BBC's Mark Simpson who will be presenting along with a host of other Radio Ulster presenters, including Anna herself, who will be doing the warm up (although only on air!!). All that plus loads of songs from the Sunday Songbook.