Described as a singer with a “velvet voice”, jazz musician and West End actress Claudia Morris will be performing Let The Be Love at The Millfield Theatre, in Edmonton, on Thursday, April 20.

Her show will feature classic love songs from the 1930s to present day, including hits from Doris Day, Carole King, Eva Cassidy, Dusty Springfield and Stevie Wonder.

Claudia’s passion for romantic music while growing up in North London due to father constantly playing jazz constantly around the house. She was trained as a child by Ian Adams, a coach to many West End stars including Elaine Paige and Michael Ball, before gaining a place in the original cast of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story after graduating as a classical actress at The Webber Douglas Academy Of Dramatic Art, in South Kensington.

After taking an 18 year career break to raise her children, Claudia most recently returned to the stage six weeks ago at the Cadogan Hall, in Belgravia, to perform the Doris Day Songbook with the Hollywood String Orchestra.

She explains why the Millfield Theatre always a “lovely” venue but why she would never live in London…

Can you tell readers about your music?

It’s easy listening jazz. I’ve been told I have a warm voice, and enjoy singing ballads.

What can the audience expect in the show at the Millfield?

It is music from the 1930s up until the present day and is a lively show about the highs and lows of love. If you love Doris Day, Dusty Springfield, Carole King, Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder, then I think you will have a great time. My band is awesome, all regular players at Ronnie Scott’s, in Soho and we make a very big sound. I have some great players including saxophone, flute and trumpet.

How long have you been in the music industry?

I started young and was in the original cast of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, in the West End. I performed in musicals and toured in my 20s, then stopped to have children. Then I started again 18 years later, at the age of 42, and am still singing now, 8 years on, so it has been on and off my whole life.

Have you done any similar tours over the years?

My first tour was called Secret Love, which was about the life and music of Doris Day. I toured the UK in 2013 and 2015, and we did 42 dates around the country.

Six weeks ago we did a concert at the Cadogan Hall in Belgravia with the Hollywood String Orchestra, performing the Doris Day songbook. I had a guest singer, West End star Robert Meadmore and it was wonderful to sing with a string orchestra in such a fabulous venue.

Is North London a good area to perform?

It’s nice to return to Millfield, as it’s such a lovely theatre. There are some great venues in North London.

How did you break into the music industry?

I decided to record an album and then tour with it. I was signed by Right Recordings a few years ago, after they came to see me perform one of my Doris shows at the Gatehouse Theatre, in Highgate.

Where did your passion for music begin?

My father always played jazz and was a drummer in his youth. At school I loved being in the choir and was often given solos.

What was it like growing up in North London?

I moved to Woodside Park 13 years ago. I prefer being on the outskirts of London, as it’s greener.

How old are you?

You can work that out from what I told you in this interview!

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

I’m currently planning my tour of The Doris Day Songbook. Alongside that I will also be performing my other show, The Great American Musical Legends, in jazz venues across the country.

Claudia’s music is available to purchase on iTunes and Amazon.