ANOTHER eclectic season of jazz returns to the intimate Sherling Studio at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts this autumn.

Getting things underway on 22 September is John Law, one of the most gifted and innovative jazz pianists, and his new group of musicians, Re-Creations. Playing mainly John’s arrangements of other people’s tunes in a purely acoustic and highly melodic setting, Re-Creations take music from the standard jazz repertoire along with pop and indie material and present it in a highly accessible and innovative way.

Blending the Hard Bop and Blue Note traditions with a fresh, melodic, contemporary sound, saxophonist and composer Josh Kemp brings a world class band of musicians to town on 6 October. A musician with a rare gift for melody, Josh is known for his lyrical improvising style and attractive compositions. Expect high-energy swing with an enjoyable and relaxed groove from this top-level ensemble.

Liane Carroll (20 October) has been a stalwart of the British jazz scene for many years, but since winning her first two BBC Jazz Awards in 2005 she has gone on to enjoy huge critical acclaim. She is quite simply one of the best jazz singers and entertainers in the world, capable of moving audience with her passion, humour and subtlety.

Don’t miss Fletch’s Brew on 3 November, who are making big waves on the London scene with their talented line-up straight from Ronnie Scott’s All Stars Band. Led by Mark Fletcher, one of the UK’s leading jazz drummers, they’ll be playing funky originals alongside tunes by Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Weather Report, late era Miles and much more.

Blending jazz with soul and folk influences, and a poetic, lyrical style, the multi-talented Julia Biel comes to Lighthouse on 17 November. Julia’s career took off in 2000 when she won the Perrier Vocalist of the Year award, and she has made major international waves since with her MOBO nominated second album Love Letters and Other Missiles, which the Evening Standard described as “a gem”.

Gilad Atzmon is one of the finest sax and clarinet players on the scene and his Orient House Ensemble combines stunning musicianship with intense emotional commitment. Their gig on 1 December marks 50 years without John Coltrane, with a special focus on the beauty of Coltrane’s ballads.

2018 kicks off with Lighthouse favourite, British-Asian clarinettist and compser Arun Ghosh, who returns by popular demand to promote his new album The Blue Light The Red Light. His new work marks a move towards more song-like structures and psychedelic textures, creating a sonic space where Alice Coltrane meets The Doors, Spiritualized and The Velvet Underground. Opposite Arun are the locally-based Thokozile Collective (last seen at the Jazz by the Sea Festival), returning with their African/funk-infused sounds.