Award-winning pianist Craig Milverton will pay tribute to Oscar Peterson next Friday, February 18, at the Chickenshed.

Voted Best Pianist at the British Jazz Awards 2010, Craig started out in blues, rock and Dixieland bands, and soon mastered the boogie-style of Albert Ammons, the ‘stride’ of Earl Hines and the complex pianistics of Art Tatum, before falling under the spell of Oscar Peterson.

Oscar is acknowledged by many in the jazz world as the greatest keyboard player of all time. Richard Palmer, Oscar’s official biographer says: “Craig’s homage to Oscar is incredible, and heartfelt, but he is not simply an Oscar clone. Craig is a brilliant pianist, and very much his own man.”

Joining Craig will be another British Jazz Award winner, Canadian guitarist Dominic Ashworth, while the band will feature bass player Al Swainger and drummer Nick Milward, from the Kenny Ball band.

The following evening there will be another treat for jazz lovers, when Jo Collins and Friends perform at the venue.

Jo co-founded Chickenshed 36 years ago, and she is now the musical director. She has composed and arranged music for more than 130 productions both at Chickenshed and theatres across the country.

Joined by her band, Jo will perform classics, covers and original material.

During the second half of the evening, she will invite members of the audience to sing or play along with her band.

Chickenshed Theatre Jazz Bar, Chase Side, Southgate. The venue opens at 7.30pm, with jazz from 8.30pm-11.30pm Details: 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk