Still a fairly well kept secret on the wider national and international jazz scene – something that may well change before too long especially if the singer’s Basement Sessions live album gains traction – Dana Masters’ gigs coming up include a prestigious Lyric theatre gig in Belfast this March.

Coming not long after the recording session for the album back in December and following gigs as a backing singer to Van Morrison at Vince Power’s new club Nell’s in London among other touring there’s no date for the release of the album yet, could all take a little while. Material by John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae, Van Morrison himself and Al Green are thought to be among the songs recorded at McHughs.

The Lyric gig, where Morrison performed his final Lit Up Inside show on Monday night, is on 9 March the beginning of a big month for jazz in Belfast with Brilliant Corners returning from 25-28 March. The line-up for the festival, now in its third year, has not been published yet and is unconfirmed but Marlbank understands this will include appearances by Troyka, Meilana Gillard, and the Scott Flanigan trio. Stephen Graham

Dana Masters, above