Davina & The Vagabonds, The Half Moon, Putney, London

What/Why:

Think of a meld of Bessie Smith, Etta James, Alberta Adams and Amy Winehouse, and you come close to understanding what Davina Sowers is all about.

Sassy and feisty, Davina could be described as the Memphis Minnie of today, except for the fact that she doesn’t play guitar, instead playing piano in a gin-house style.

Her music is based in New Orleans incorporating elements of blues, swing, jazz, R&B, soul and gospel – and in the Vagabonds she has a band that have the talent and attitude to reflect her idiosyncratic style. No guitar features in the Vagabonds – just upright bass (Michael Carvale), trombone (Darren Sterud), trumpet (Dan Eikmeier) and drums (Connor Macrae) – a band created for those Crescent City vibes.