Epsom jazz fans are in for a real treat next week when one of Britain’s best voices, Clare Teal, returns to the venue to launch her new UK Tour.

Entitled the Great British Songbook, the show sees Teal rummage around the musical past to piece together a set of classic numbers.

And she admits the project has been more fun than even she imagined.

Teal explains: “I think the whole Great American Songbook thing has been done to death so I wanted to try something different.

“I am a bit of a musicologist so I thought I would look into the history books and try and find the British equivalents of say Cole Porter.

“It was fascinating to find so many records from the 1940s that had British and American musicians teaming up, as obviously it was a lot more difficult to get around and stay in contact with people back then.

“But I have put together a set and the whole process was really enjoyable.

“Now it is a case of seeing how it works on stage, and the Epsom fans will be the guinea pigs!”

Having spring to prominence in the late 1990s, Teal’s nine album releases have seen her earn a fully-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s finest talents.

But the Yorkshire-born singer admits even she has to know when to say no.

Teal adds: “When you are putting together a new show you have to be honest with yourself.

“Some of my favourite singers and artists I just cannot sing.

“For example I am a huge Simon & Garfunkel fan but their material just does not work for my voice and I would look an idiot if I tried it on stage.

“You have to do what you do best and take things from there.”

The 36-year-old once famously singed the biggest-ever recording deal for a British jazz singer when she teamed up with Sony.

But, having seen that contract end, and having now set up her own label, she insists she has never been happier.

Teal reveals: “When I came out of the deal in 2009 I did think ‘well what do I do now?’ “But when you are in a niche market like I am you do not really need that mass machine behind you.

“Everything I do now I do on my own terms - I gig when I want, I sing what I want and I play where I want.

“There is far less stress and pressure and I am all the better for it.”

Clare Teal, Epsom Playhouse, Mar 10, 8pm, £18.50, 01372 742555