PROVING age is nothing but a number Elkie Brooks dazzled the crowd while she performed on stage at the Marlborough International Jazz Festival on Saturday.

The 70-year-old singer who rose to fame in the 70s exuded energy and proved she hasn’t lost her touch by belting out some of her most iconic songs, including Pearl’s a Singer and Sunshine after the Rain, as she headlined the annual event.

Dressed all in black, Elkie’s soulful voice lit up the marquee in the Priory Gardens which was full of fans young and old, who had managed to get their hands on tickets before they sold out.

In between songs, the singer dubbed the Queen of Blues joked about her age, spoke of having the honour of recording with the late Humphrey Lyttelton and praised her band.

She also sung Prince’s Purple Rain and her rendition of Adele’s Make You Feel My Love was met with a roaring applause. Speaking to the audience she said: “This was originally written by Bob Dylan. I thoroughly enjoy singing it but it wouldn't be anything without my wonderful accompanists.”

Other musical highlights included Louisiana blues singer Lil’ Jimmy Reed, a favourite of festival founder and consultant Nick Fogg. The artist, born Leon Atkins, performed on Saturday evening at ASK and also has the accolade of being Blues Harmonica Player of the Year by the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame.

Among the other famous faces was the brother of Mick Jagger, Chris Jagger and the Atcha Band who played behind the Castle and Ball, as well as The Red Stripe Band who have shared stages with singers from Jamie Cullen and Sting. MOBO award winner YolanDa Brown and her Trio also returned for another year.

Local talent was also showcased with four-piece band Retro, who had everyone on their feet calling for an encore during their performance at the Royal Oak. The band didn’t just restrict themselves to jazz and performed Born to be Wild and Rocking all over the World before handing out inflatable guitars for the audience to join in with.

Rob Guthrie, 26, of White Horse Road, who was with his friends and family, said: "I thought they were fantastic. They really got the crowd involved and mixed it up well with all the vocals."

Seeing the night in at the Crown Hotel, was former St John’s student Ben Cipolla and his band, who are a jazz-pop eight piece aged between 17-19. Their original material and refreshing lyrics had onlookers tapping their feet away under the stars.

And bringing the three-day festival to a close on Sunday was the 18-piece orchestra The Bratislava Hot Serenaders, who performed to a large crowd of revellers who then saw the afternoon off with drinks in hand.