SAPPHIRE Kieft has the sort of singing voice that would charm the birds out of the trees.

A star in the making, the 19-year old college student will make her Zeffirellis debut at Ambleside on Thursday, April 18 (8.30pm) in the Jazz Bar with a programme of classic jazz songs ranging from Cole Porter to Gershwin. Her piano accompaniment will be courtesy of one of the most influential and highly regarded performer-teachers in the UK, Les Chisnall. Les has worked with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians and his last album Another Place was described by the Guardian as a “classic of chamber jazz.” Word spread of Sapphire's extraordinary talent during the run of the Rise and Fall of Little Voice in 2016, which packed out Grasmere Hall. Her poignant portrayal of the teenage heroine in the gritty drama was made particularly memorable by Sapphire’s beautiful singing. Tickets on 015394-33845 or at www.zeffirellis.com.