TALENTED musicians from all over the UK and beyond are coming to the Beacon as it launches a monthly cabaret-style jazz club.

The exciting project has come to fruition thanks to a partnership formed between the venue's director Pauline Kane and musician Professor Robert Kalin.

Robert approached Pauline about setting up a club and she had been thinking along similar lines.

He said: "There are a few jazz musicians around this area but I think it has lost its way a bit in the west of Scotland.

"The local availability of jazz music events for young and part-time artists has been in decline in recent years, meaning that local artists have had to travel further afield to hear live jazz performances.

"We want to bring it back as a genre of music here.

"Our aim is to increase the accessibility and appreciation of jazz as an art-form, particularly in the younger generation."

To launch the new venture in style, the first official club night will see the award-winning Georgia Cecile Trio take to the stage on May 19.

The club will then run on the last Thursday of every month.

Well-known Inverclyde drummer and Capitol Big Band stalwart Joe Baldi says Greenock has produced some of the best jazz musicians in the world - such as Duncan Lamont, Jackie Dougan and Roy Whiteford.

He says there's a history and tradition of jazz in Greenock and hopes that the club will pay tribute to that.

Beacon boss Pauline says the club will have something for everyone.

There are plans to hold workshops to give budding jazz musicians the opportunity to learn from those who are more experienced, and under-26s can snap up £5 tickets.

Pauline added: "There's been so much enthusiasm for the club already.

"We want to showcase different styles of jazz to make it as accessible as possible for people.

"I'm looking forward to building a relationship with fantastic musicians and helping to reignite Inverclyde's once-thriving jazz music base."

To book tickets visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk

JAZZ IT UP Lisa McRuvie, Pauline Kane, Professor Robert Kalin, Joe Baldi, Fiona Kalin and Stuart Gorman (seated).